State of the Union - podcast cover

State of the Union

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.
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Episodes

Exclusive joint interview with Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, plus Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams

First up, Dana has an exclusive bipartisan interview with Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal. They discuss whether the Democrats' tax and climate bill will help Americans struggling with inflation costs and their bipartisan push to call Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. Plus, Dana asks Graham why he still supports Trump after the January 6 attack on the Capitol.Next, Dana goes one-on-one with Stacey Abrams. The Democratic gubernatorial candidate gives her reaction to the sweeping ...

Aug 07, 202246 min

Interviews with: Senator Joe Manchin, Senator Pat Toomey, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

First, Jake asks Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin why he agreed to sign onto Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's bill on healthcare, climate and taxes after previously signaling he would not support it. Manchin also responds to claims that the $739 billion deal would increase inflation and taxes. Plus, Jake presses Republican Sen. Pat Toomey on why he blocked a bill designed to help U.S. military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough joins Jake to respond....

Jul 31, 202249 min

Interviews with: January 6 Committee Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

First, Jake goes one-on-one with January 6 Committee Vice Chair Rep. Liz Cheney on whether she believes the investigation has successfully made the case that former President Trump committed crimes. Plus, faced with the prospect of losing her seat over her work on the committee, Jake asks Cheney if it was all worth it.Next, Jake talks to Maryland GOP Governor Larry Hogan about Republicans’ decision to nominate Trump-backed election denier Dan Cox to succeed him, and gets his reaction to learning...

Jul 24, 202248 min

Interviews with: White House economic adviser Jared Bernstein, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Jan 6th committee member Elaine Luria

First: Inflation skyrockets at home while abroad President Biden makes nice with a leader he vowed to make a "pariah." Was it worth the price? Top White House economic adviser Jared Bernstein joins Dana Bash to discuss. Next: Republican primaries pit sitting governors against former President Trump, who says it's a matter of when, not if, he runs. What will the GOP look like in 2024? Dana speaks exclusively to Arizona Republican Governor Doug Ducey. Then: January 6th committee member Elaine Luri...

Jul 17, 202245 min

Interviews with: Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Gov. Chris Sununu, Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

After a tragic 4th of July mass shooting, Jake speaks with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker about the missed warning signs and what changes are needed to ensure this doesn’t happen again. After, Jake asks New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu about the risk of a recession and what the Biden administration can do to help Americans. They also discuss the push to roll back abortion access in Republican-led states. Then, January 6th select committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren joins Jake to discuss if form...

Jul 10, 202243 min

Interviews with: South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Rep. Adam Kinzinger

First, Dana presses South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem on if she supports paid parental leave and state-funded childcare after South Dakota banned all abortions except when the mother's life is at risk. Then, Dana goes one-on-one with Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger to discuss former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson's bombshell testimony to the House Select Committee investigating January 6. This week's panel includes former Reagan Administration official Linda Chavez, former U.S. Se...

Jul 03, 202240 min

Interviews with: Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Stacey Abrams, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson

First, Jake goes one-on-one with Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on what the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade will mean for her state, whether Biden is doing enough on abortion rights, whether the Senate should lift the filibuster to codify Roe into law, and if Netflix and Disney should pull their businesses from Georgia in their opposition to the so-called ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban.Next, Jake interviews Secretary of State Antony Blinken live from the G7 Summit in Krun, ...

Jun 26, 202245 min

Interviews with: Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Fred Upton, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee

First, as the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol enters its third week of hearings, committee member Rep. Adam Schiff tells Dana Bash that this week's hearings will reveal how pressure campaigns "directed against state and local elections officials put their lives in danger." Next, Rep. Fred Upton joins to discuss whether the Jan. 6 committee's case is resonating with moderate Republicans and independent voters, as well as whether he thinks the Republican Pa...

Jun 19, 202242 min

Interviews with: Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Chris Jacobs, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, former Rep. Gabby Giffords.

First, Dana asks Congressman Jamie Raskin if the January 6th select committee can prove Donald Trump knew he lost the 2020 election while he publicly claimed victory. After, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joins Dana to answer why she went on Twitter to ask GOP members of Congress if they petitioned Trump for a pardon. Then, Dana sits down with Republican Rep. Chris Jacobs about facing GOP backlash after he expressed support for new gun restrictions. Also, as Americans face record-high gas prices ...

Jun 12, 202252 min

Interviews with: Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman.

First, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy tells Jake the Senate is "closer than ever before" to passing new gun legislation but cautions, "Let's see if we land it." Next, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says the Biden administration is "committed" to reining in inflation and will "stick with it until we do." Then, former Republican Rep. Denver Riggleman predicts the upcoming January 6 committee hearings will be "concise," "exciting," and will "present this case in a very cogent way." This week's pane...

Jun 05, 202244 min

Interviews with: Texas State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, Sen. Dick Durbin, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Rep. Adam Kinzinger

First, Dana interviews Uvalde State Sen. Roland Gutierrez about law enforcement waiting over an hour to breach the classroom at Robb Elementary School, whether the delay may have cost lives, and Gutierrez confronting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to push for a special session to raise the minimum age of gun ownership from 18 to 21. Next, Dana interviews Democratic Whip Sen. Dick Durbin about the bipartisan group of Senators in Washington who, after years of inaction, are working on a compromise bill to...

May 29, 202251 min

Interviews with White House Economic Adviser Brian Deese, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Democratic Candidate for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro

First, after the S&P 500 briefly fell into bear market territory last week, Dana presses White House Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese on whether the United States is headed towards a recession. Then, Dana and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson discuss Arkansas' trigger law that would come into effect if Roe v. Wade is overturned banning abortion from the moment of fertilization, with no exception for rape or incest. After, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania governor Jos...

May 22, 202240 min

Interviews with: Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Pete Ricketts, Finland President Sauli Niinistö.

First, Dana speaks with New York Governor Kathy Hochul after 10 people were fatally shot in a Buffalo supermarket by a gunman espousing white supremacist beliefs. Then, Dana asks Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi if abortion rights will become a larger priority for Democrats and what a path toward greater abortion access could look like. Next, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts joins to answer if there are limits to a Trump endorsement, if he would support a bipartisan congressional bill to raise t...

May 15, 202250 min

Interviews with: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

First, Jake goes one-on-one with GOP Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves about the so-called "trigger law" in his state that would ban all abortions, except in cases of rape or to save the mother's life, if Roe v. Wade is overturned. They also discuss Mississippi’s high rate of infant mortality, child poverty, lack of paid maternity leave and its troubled foster care system. Next, Jake gets Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's reaction to the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion on overturning Roe...

May 08, 202250 min

Interviews with: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson

First, Dana goes one-on-one with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. They discuss the pandemic border rule that has divided Democrats as the U.S. prepares for a possible migrant surge, the role of the new DHS Disinformation Governance Board, and Republicans' threat to impeach Mayorkas if they win control of the House. Next, Dana interviews Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson. They discuss whether President Biden is right to dismiss recession fears, newly released audio of Kevin McCarthy...

May 01, 202240 min

Interviews with: Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. Victoria Spartz, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha

First, with inflation above 8%, Dana presses Sen. Elizabeth Warren on whether America could face a recession. Warren also weighs in on what Democrats need to do if they hope to stand a chance in the midterm elections. Next, Rep. Victoria Spartz, the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress, joins from Kyiv to discuss what she's seeing in the capital and her reaction to U.S. Secretary State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Llyod Austin's visit to Ukraine today. Then, after a judge struck down ...

Apr 24, 202245 min

Interview with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and Dave Matthews performs a song to support refugees

In an exclusive interview, Jake sits down with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to cover a wide range of issues, including the sinking of one of Vladimir Putin’s premier naval ships, whether Zelensky thinks he can win the fight in the Donbas, what can be done to help the devastated city of Mariupol, whether President Joe Biden should visit Ukraine and whether there is anything the Ukrainian people are willing to give up to end the war. Plus, singer-songwriter Dave Matthews performs a new ...

Apr 17, 202240 min

Interviews with: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Rep. Liz Cheney, former CIA Director General David Petraeus, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans

As the world expresses horror at Russia's indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine, and demands for justice grow, President Biden says the US will "ratchet up the pain" for Vladimir Putin. But can Russia's leader be stopped? Reporting from Lviv, Jake Tapper puts that thorny question to Jake Sullivan, Liz Cheney, and David Petraeus. Also: Russia's invasion has forced millions to flee the violence. In an exclusive joint interview, Ursula von der Leyen, Justin Trudeau and Hugh Evans explore the burgeoning...

Apr 10, 202251 min

Interviews with: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken; NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg; Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan; Ukrainian Parliament Member Anastasia Radina

First, Dana speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Putin’s change in military strategy, as Russian forces pull back from Kyiv. With Russia leaving behind evidence of civilian executions and mass graves, are we seeing crimes against humanity? Next, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg joins to discuss the latest developments in the war, including Ukraine's suggestion that it's willing to take NATO membership off the table in exchange for peace.Then, Dana has a one-on-one with...

Apr 03, 202243 min

Interviews with: Amb. to NATO Julianne Smith, Sen. Jim Risch, Sen. Cory Booker, Chef José Andrés, Ukrainian Amb. to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Michael McCaul.

President Biden made international headlines this week when he went off-script during a speech in Poland, suggesting support for a regime change in Russia. Fresh off the NATO summit in Brussels, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith joins to clarify Biden’s comments about Putin and outline the U.S.’s new plan with the E.U. So, was Biden’s trip a success? Today’s extended episode also features exclusive interviews with Sen. Jim Risch and Rep. Michael McCaul about Russia signaling a shift in the ...

Mar 27, 20221 hr 30 min

Interviews with: US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Polish Ambassador Marek Magierowski, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Former CIA Director General David Petraeus, The New Yorker Editor David Remnick and Staff Writer Masha Gessen

First, Jake checks in with Senior International Correspondent Ivan Watson, who is live in Ukraine, about Russia's increased attacks on civilian areas. Then, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Jake to discuss prospects for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Next, Jake presses Polish Ambassador to the United States Marek Magierowski on a preliminary proposal by Poland’s prime minister for a NATO peace-keeping mission in Ukraine. After, Prime Minister of Estonia ...

Mar 20, 202254 min

Interviews with: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Sen. Rob Portman, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Latvia President Egils Levits

First: Putin's forces strike a Ukrainian base just miles from the border with Poland. With millions of Ukrainians fleeing the violence, what is the US prepared to do to stop the killing? We ask National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Today's extended episode also features Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and his brother Wladimir, who is fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine; exclusive talks with Senators Rob Portman and Amy Klobuchar from the Polish-Ukrainian border; Latvian President Egils Levits; ...

Mar 13, 20221 hr 12 min

Interviews with: US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin.

First, Dana checks in with CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward, who is live in Ukraine, about the latest reports on the ground. Then, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Dana to detail the steps the US is taking to help defend Ukraine. After, Senator Mitt Romney weighs in on the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticizes pro-Putin sentiments among some in the Republican Party. Next, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responds to ...

Feb 27, 20221 hr 20 min

Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Finland President Sauli Niinistö, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis

First, Dana speaks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about whether Russia's plan to invade Ukraine is already in motion, after a series of alleged false flag incidents in Eastern Ukraine and Russia's announcement that it will extend military exercises in Belarus indefinitely. Then, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö joins to share his unique insight into Russian President Putin's mindset and what he thinks the Ukraine crisis means for the world. Later, with more Democratic governors lifting C...

Feb 20, 202244 min

Interviews with: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan

First: As Russian troops close in around Ukraine, the White House says an attack could happen any day now and that Americans need to get out now. Can war still be averted? Jake Tapper asks National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Next: With his party still in thrall to former President Trump, Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan -- a frequent Trump critic -- joins the show to discuss the state of the GOP and explain why he decided not to run for the Senate. Also: Democratic strategist Hillar...

Feb 13, 202242 min

Exclusive joint interview with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Interview with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield

First, in rare joint interview, Jake speaks with key Senators Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski about how to work together in a deeply divided Congress. The three discuss if bipartisanship is still possible in today’s Washington, their progress toward reforming the Electoral Count Act, and what’s next for President Biden's agenda on Capitol Hill.Next, as the Winter Olympics begin with a controversial start in Beijing, Jake speaks with US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She...

Feb 06, 202246 min

Interviews with: Sen. Bob Menendez, Sen. Jim Risch, Gov. Chris Sununu, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and a special report.

First, Dana speaks with Sen. Bob Menendez and Sen. Jim Risch of the Foreign Relations Committee about the bipartisan group of Senators who are trying to prevent war between Russia and Ukraine. Next, amidst optimism from top health officials that the Omicron surge is starting to peak, Dana asks New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu about rolling back individual restrictions. Then, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester joins our panel to examine the importance of representation in the Supreme Court as Biden promise...

Jan 30, 202249 min

Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Former Trump Advisers Alyssa Griffin and David Urban

First, Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins CNN's Dana Bash to discuss growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia after the British government released a statement saying that Russia is working to install a pro-Kremlin leader in Ukraine. Then, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst details her support for immediate sanctions on Russia. And as two of President Biden's major policy priorities are stalled in the Senate, Biden proposed passing smaller "chunks" of the Build Back Better plan. Independent Sen....

Jan 23, 202249 min

Interviews with: Rep. James Clyburn, Sen. Bill Cassidy, Rep. Michael McCaul, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jake sits down with House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn to examine how the civil rights leader’s legacy ties to voting rights battles in Congress today. Then, Jake asks Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy about Republican opposition to Democrats’ election reform bill. Afterwards, Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses how the United States should respond if Russia invades Ukraine. Next, with Covid-19 infectio...

Jan 16, 202244 min

Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson.

First, Jake interviews Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Russian aggression overseas and the key test it represents for President Biden. The US vows “massive consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine, but with democracy in peril at home, does the US have leverage? Next, with thousands of kids across the US back to virtual learning due to the Omicron spread, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is drawing a line. He joins Jake to discuss how we can protect the education of our children and also def...

Jan 09, 202240 min
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