The Lead with Jake Tapper - podcast cover

The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcastswww.cnn.com
CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.
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Episodes

Full house to vote this week on impeachment inquiry; Former WH official defies subpoena, refuses to testify; Key informant obtained ISIS leader's underwear, blood sample; Trump lauds U.S. raid on ISIS leader, says Baghdadi is "dead as a doornail"

Full house to vote this week on impeachment inquiry; Schiff: we can infer WH position to ex-official's testimony means they think it would incriminate Trump; Pentagon: videos, phots of Baghdadi raid to be released; Picture of hero dog used in raid of ISIS leader released; Trump lauds U.S. raid on ISIS leader, says Baghdadi is "dead as a doornail"; Trump shares vivid details of raid, ISIS leader's death on TV; Pentagon official unable to confirm Trump's description of raid; Trump calls house inte...

Oct 28, 201930 min

Trump falsely claims impeachment based on one "perfect" call; Trump compares impeachment to unfairness in criminal justice system; Sen John Kennedy on Trump and impeachment; Trump family explores selling Washington, D.C. hotel

Source: Bolton in talks about testifying behind closed doors; Sources: WH official to back up diplomat's damning testimony; "Anonymous" author of new book promises to recount conversations with president Trump; Trump on impeachment messaging: "I am the team"; Trump repeats defense of Ukraine call: it was "perfect"; Rep Gowdy in 2018: private hearings "are much more constructive"; Trump family explores selling Washington, D.C. hotel; Biden on his opponents: "I'll flat out beat them"; Biden: if el...

Oct 25, 201939 min

Senate GOP introducing resolution to condemn impeachment process; Dems accuse GOP Reps of stunt & violating House rules after rushing secure room; U.S. may start moving battle tanks & troops to Syria to protect other troops near oil fields;

Sources: Dems aiming for public hearings in November; NYT: WH sent warning letter to Pentagon Official who testified before Congress; GOP Source: Diplomat's testimony "reverberating" among House GOP; GOP tries to downplay damning testimony as "hearsay"; "No quid pro quo" defense may not matter for impeachment; Trump applauds GOP lawmakers who stormed secure room; Sources: Giuliani now searching for a defense attorney; Two Giuliani associates promoted connections to Giuliani and Trump to make mon...

Oct 24, 201939 min

Special Edition: The White House in Crisis; New book called "A Warning" by writer of anonymous Op-Ed who "vowed to thwart" Trump's worst inclinations; CNN obtains key diplomat's opening statement; Trump compares impeachment investigation to "a lynching";

Source: "Anonymous" has "explosive" book coming out with first-hand account of president Trump; CNN: Key diplomat testifies he was told political investigations may be reason for Ukraine aid delay; McConnell denies he told Trump Ukraine call was "perfect"; CNN Poll: 50% of Americans support impeaching, removing Trump from office; Ceasefire between Turkey and Syrian Kurds just expired; Turkey and Russia agree to joint patrols along Syrian border; Iraq: U.S. Troops withdrawing from Syria cannot st...

Oct 22, 20191 hr 16 min

Trump calls on republicans to get tougher & "stick together" on impeachment; Sources: Impeachment inquiry could take longer than expected; Trump hurls new attacks at whistleblower, Schiff; Trump: U.S. never promised to protect Kurds forever

Trump reverse course on Doral, Syria amid GOP backlash; Sources: Mulvaney faced internal efforts to oust him before democrats moved ahead with impeachment inquiry; Trump goes on rant over "phony emoluments clause"; CNN: key witness initially hesitant to take Ukraine role; Tonight: republicans to try to force censure vote on Schiff; U.S. convoy pelted with rotten vegetables as they leave Syria; Defense secretary says some U.S. troops will stay in Syria to stop ISIS form gaining access to oil fiel...

Oct 21, 201939 min

WH tries damage control after Mulvaney admits quid pro quo; Trump: Energy Secy Perry leaving post at end of year; Trump praises ceasefire as violence still unfolds;

GOP won't rule out impeachment after Mulvaney's admission; Trump deflects, distracts after Mulvaney admits quid pro quo; WaPo: Diplomat says Biden's office dismissed concerns about Hunter Biden's work in 2015; Rick Perry resigns as questions grow over conversations with Giuliani about Ukraine; Sources: Pompeo frustrated at criticism directed at him; Despite claims of a ceasefire, deadly violence continues; Turkey's President to meet Russian President Putin in days; McConnell Op-ed: Withdrawing f...

Oct 18, 201939 min

White House admits Trump directed officials to work with Giuliani; White House admits to quid pro quo with Ukraine; Bloomberg: Energy Secy. Perry tells Trump he's resigning; Lawmakers mourn death of Rep. Elijah Cummings;

Mulvaney admits to quid pro quo with Ukraine: "Get over it. There's going to be political influence in foreign policy"; Source: Trump legal team "baffled" by Mulvaney briefing; House lawyer drives Dems impeachment strategy; Trump: U.S. and Turkey agree to ceasefire in Syria; Turkey: "Not a ceasefire" in Syria, just a "pause"; Romney rips Trump's Syria strategy, calls for public hearings; Adm. McRaven: Our republic is under attack from the President; Trump: Kurdish allies of the U.S. are not "ang...

Oct 17, 201939 min

Counterintelligence probe of Giuliani hinges on ties to Ukraine, wealthy foreigners & WH; Pelosi: Trump had a "meltdown" in meeting on Syria; Trump's letter to Erdogan: "Don't be a tough guy! Don't be a fool!"

Federal investigations of Rudy Giuliani includes counterintelligence probe; Democrats speak after meeting with Trump at WH; Trump claims Turkey's invasion of Northern Syria "has nothing to do with us"; House voted 354-60 on resolution condemning Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria; Former senior aide: Pompeo silent when asked to support ambassador targeted by Giuliani; Former senior Pompeo adviser ends testimony after 5 hours; Top U.S. diplomat in Ukraine expected to testify Tues...

Oct 16, 201940 min

CNN/NYT to host Democratic Debate tonight at 8PM; Several Republicans raising questions about Giuliani's actions; VP Pence heads to Turkey after Trump slaps new sanctions; Hunter Biden: I did nothing improper, but had "poor judgement";

Sources: Giuliani will defy subpoena for Ukraine docs; Budget Office does not plan to comply with document subpoena; OMB does not comply with document subpoena; Source: Trump's ex-Russia adviser said Bolton thought Giuliani was a "hand grenade" ready to explode; Democrats question another key witness behind closed doors as republicans attack the process; U.S. Official: Turkish-backed forces come close to U.S. troops; Void left by U.S. troops in Syria being filled by Russia; 12 Democrats face off...

Oct 15, 201938 min

Trump's former Russia advisor testifying on Capitol Hill; Trump says he'll impose economic sanctions against Turkish officials for Syria incursion; Trump directs attacks on Twitter at Dems, FOX, critics of his strategy on Syria

Source: in today's testimony, Trump's ex-Russia advisor praised the ousted ambassador targeted by Giuliani; NYT: former Trump adviser will testify Giuliani ran "shadow diplomacy" in Ukraine to aid Trump; Trump: "small footprint" of U.S. forces to remain in southern Syria to disrupt "remnants of ISIS"; Kurdish leader: U.S. "leaving us to be slaughtered"; McConnell slams Trump's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria; Retired four-star gen: Trump has "blood on his hands"; Joe Biden's son Hunter to g...

Oct 14, 201939 min

Judges rule against Trump Admin three times in one day; Dem Chairs: Subpoena issued to Yovanovitch after White House, State Dept told her not to testify;

NYT: Former Ambassador to Ukraine testifies Trump pressured State Department to remove her; NYT: Former Ukraine Amb. blames Trump, Giuliani for her removal; NYT: Yovanovitch testifies Trump fired her based on "false claims by people with clearly questionable motives"; Sources: National Security Adviser to slash career NSC staff and add political appointees; Source: President Trump sent WSJ Op-ed "Ukraine smoke and mirrors" to all senators; U.S. Official: Turkish artillery fire hit just hundreds ...

Oct 11, 201939 min

Two men tied to Giuliani's efforts to investigate Biden arrested; Perry subpoenaed for docs in House impeachment inquiry; Giuliani's associates charged with campaign finance violation; Death toll rises as Turkey ramps up attacks on U.S. allies;

Sources: Giuliani associates arrested while trying to leave U.S.; Prosecutors: Investigation involving Giuliani associates ongoing; Two men who helped Giuliani's efforts to dig up dirt on Biden in Ukraine under arrest; Giuliani associates to be held on$1 Million bond; Secretary Perry subpoenaed in House impeachment inquiry; Campaign finance records indicate Giuliani associates funneled money to campaign of former GOP Rep Pete Sessions; Conway: WH's response to impeachment inquiry "was trash"; Co...

Oct 10, 201938 min

Democrats planning new phase in impeachment investigation; Trump rails against impeachment probe as WH stonewalls Dems; Turkey sends ground troops into Syria; For the first time, Biden calls for Trump to be impeached;

Dems plan wave of subpoenas despite Trump stonewalling; Speaker Pelosi still resisting calls for impeachment inquiry vote; Trump tweets attack on impeachment probe, whistleblower; Trump Admin launches war against impeachment inquiry; Trump predicts impeachment fight could go to Supreme Court; Trump, without evidence, says whistleblower in "cahoots" with Rep Schiff; Whistleblower may secretly be deposed on Capitol Hill; Turkey sends ground forces into Syria after Trump moves U.S. troops out; U.S....

Oct 09, 201939 min

Dems to subpoena key witness after Trump Admin blocks testimony; House Democrats, Trump GOP allies clash over need for vote for formalize impeachment inquiry; U.S. troops withdraw from Syria as Turkey prepares offensive; NBA Commissioner "not apologizing"

Source on WH strategy: "The days of playing nice are done"; Sources: WH officials scrambled immediately after Ukraine call; Sources: At least one official alerted White House's National Security lawyers about Trump-Ukraine call; Source: WH reached out to lawyers for impeachment counsel, including former Rep Trey Gowdy; Source: Gordon Sondland called Trump before texting diplomat there was no quid pro quo & asking not to discuss over text; Schiff: State Dept withholding more relevant texts, e...

Oct 08, 201938 min

Democrats issue new subpoenas in impeachment inquiry; Most republicans not criticizing Trump for urging China & Ukraine to investigate Bidens; Trump makes numerous false claims in barrage of tweets Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Rick Perry: I asked Trump to call Ukraine on energy, not Bidens; Two key witnesses testify in impeachment inquiry this week; Trump unleashes on Dems & whistleblowers in twitter rant; Source: Mulvaney said Trump would win 45 states if impeached; Some republican allies dismiss Trumps request to China and Ukraine as a joke; Portman now forth GOP senator to criticize Trump for asking China & Ukraine to investigate Biden; Trump: whistleblower got Ukraine call "completely wrong"; Fact: WH tran...

Oct 07, 201939 min

Trump claims he's investigating corruption, not his rivals; Damning text messages detail Trump admin pressure on Ukraine; Sources: Intel IG gave committee docs showing efforts to corroborate whistleblower complaint

Trump claims Biden probe just about rooting out corruption, but cannot name any other corruption probes he's ordered; Trump claims he's investigating corruption, not his rivals; Sources: Trump promised China's president he'd be silent on Hong Kong democracy protests while trade talks continued; House Dems ask VP Pence to turn over Ukraine docs; Trump can't name a corruption investigation he's requested that isn't about a political rival; Sources: Intel IG gave committee documents showing efforts...

Oct 04, 201939 min

Trump openly encourages Ukraine & China to investigate the Bidens; Three House committees interview key witness named in whistleblower complaint. Special 2-episode edition of The Lead.

Pence on Biden: Must be "above the appearance of impropriety"; First witness in Ukraine probe testifies before 3 House Cmtes; Schiff clarifies after saying committee had no contact with whistleblower; Schiff: Trump's invitation to foreign leaders today "repugnant"; Giuliani says some of the conspiracy theory documents about Bidens, Ukraine Ambassador originated with him; Trump publicly urges another foreign power to investigate Biden; Trump: Ukraine & China should investigate Joe Biden &...

Oct 03, 20191 hr 15 min

Special Edition (2): The White House in Crisis; Combative Trump attacks Schiff, impeachment inquiry "hoax'; State Department IG finishes "urgent" briefing on Hill; Klobuchar talks about impeachment and gun control push;

Trump: Only "legitimate" whistleblowers should be protected; Trump falsely claims whistleblower is "dishonest" & "inaccurate"; Now: State Dept Inspector General holding "urgent" briefing on Capitol Hill over Ukraine; House Democrats: Stonewalling by Trump Administration may be considered obstruction; Lineup announced for CNN/NYT Dem Presidential Debate; Trump froze Ukraine aid in June, demanded a policy review that baffled officials; To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vis...

Oct 02, 201932 min

Special Edition (1): The White House in Crisis; House Intel: We didn't review whistleblower complaint in advance; Combative Trump attacks Schiff, impeachment inquiry "hoax";

Trump on impeachment inquiry: I always cooperate, but "this is a hoax"; Trump without evidence, claims Intel Chair Schiff helped "write it"; Now: State Dept Inspector General holding "urgent" briefing on Capitol Hill over Ukraine; Trump attacks Democrats for focusing on "bullshit"; Putin defends Trump over impeachment inquiry, says "nothing wrong" with Trump-Ukraine call; Putin jokes that Russia will interfere in 2020 U.S. election; NYT OP-ED: There may be another cover-up by the DOJ and Trump A...

Oct 02, 201943 min

Special Edition (2): The White House in Crisis. Pompeo accuses House Dems of bullying, Dems warn Pompeo to stop "intimidating" witnesses;  Intel watchdog defends whistleblower as Trump steps up attacks;

Trump's first supporter in Congress resigns, pleads guilty in corruption case; Pompeo pushes back on Dem effort to depose State Dept Officials; Source: President Trump would "go on random tangents" about Mueller probe in calls with foreign leaders; GOP Sen Grassley defends whistleblower who sounded alarm on Trump; WSJ: AG Barr complained to Trump in April about Giuliani; Barr facing questions about his actions as Attorney General; Intel watchdog debunks Trump's whistleblower conspiracy; Giuliani...

Oct 01, 201941 min

Special Edition (1): The White House in Crisis. Pompeo accuses House Dems of bullying, Dems warn Pompeo to stop "intimidating" witnesses;  Intel watchdog defends whistleblower as Trump steps up attacks;

Dems fire back, warn Pompeo to stop "intimidating" witnesses; Ukraine's Pres: "No one can put pressure on me"; Ukraine's Pres: I never met or spoke to Giuliani; Trump adviser: Inquiry "nothing less than a coup d'état"; Trump adviser compares House Dems to China, Russia, N Korea; Source: Secy of State Pompeo was on Trump's call with Ukraine; Trump allies & advisers entangled in impeachment probe; Giuliani hires Watergate prosecutor as his attorney in impeachment inquiry; Some Trump allies def...

Oct 01, 201936 min

House committees subpoena Pompeo over Ukraine docs; Sources: Dems could impeach Trump by Thanksgiving; Schiff: subpoenas, hearings coming as soon as next week. 2-episode special edition of The Lead.

WH admits for first time its lawyers directed moving call transcript to highly secure system; Trump attacks whistleblower who sounded alarm on Trump's call for Ukraine to investigate Biden; Sources: Dems could impeach Trump by Thanksgiving; Schiff: Intel Cmte preparing for hearings as soon as next week, subpoenas going out "expeditiously"; Intel Dem: Giuliani, Barr likely to be called to testify; Schiff: subpoenas, hearings coming as soon as next week; WaPo: Pence was expected to attend inaugura...

Sep 27, 20191 hr 15 min

Whistleblower: Trump tried to get Ukraine to interfere in election, and White House tried to cover it up. 2-episode special edition of The Lead.

Trump compares whistleblower's sources to "spies," makes reference to executions like the old days; Whistleblower alleges White House cover-up; John Dean reacts to whistleblower complaint; Whistleblower: WH officials were "deeply disturbed" by president's conduct on the call with Ukraine To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 26, 20191 hr 13 min

CNN: Pelosi expected to announce formal impeachment inquiry; Trump to release Ukraine call transcript tomorrow

Now: Pelosi meets with house Dems as impeachment momentum grows; Schiff: whistleblower wants to speak to house intel committee; Biden: if Trump continues to obstruct, impeach him; Source: Pelosi told Dems: "Here we are. A moment of truth"; Sources: Pelosi said "We will have an impeachment inquiry"; Democrats leave meeting on Trump impeachment inquiry To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 24, 201938 min

Trump admits he discussed Biden with Ukrainian president; House Dems appear closer to launching impeachment against Trump; New Biden tweet: Trump needs to "release the transcript of the call"; Gore: Trump is face of climate change denial;

Trump, without evidence, claims if a republican ever did what Biden did, they'd be getting "the electric chair"; Trump: I didn't pressure Ukraine to investigate Biden, but it "would have been okay" if I did; Intel chair: "We may have crossed the rubicon" on impeachment; Mitt Romney: Trump's call could be "troubling"; as few republicans condemn Trump's call; Axelrod: Trump call "implicit or explicit extortion in plain sight"; Biden slams Trump for Ukraine call while Warren presses House to act on...

Sep 23, 201938 min

WSJ: Trump urged Ukrainian president "eight times" to work with Giuliani to investigate Biden's son; Trump announces new sanctions, says Iran "going to hell"; Millions march demanding action on climate crisis

Trump: "somebody ought to look into" Joe Biden & Ukraine; First TV interview with fmr State Dept. analyst who quit when WH blocked his climate testimony; Shocking video of car plowing through Illinois mall; Patriots release Antonio Brown amid rape allegations; Very sick undocumented kids & adults can now apply to stay in the U.S. to get care To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 20, 201939 min

CNN: WH advised Intel to withhold whistleblower complaint; New Intel IG letter sounds alarm, Trump admin stopping him from doing his job; Buttigieg: What is the Trump admin hiding from Congress?; Iran: "we won't blink to defend" ourselves against U.S.;

Watchdog: Acting Intel Chief, WH & Justice Dept stopping me from providing info about whistleblower's complaint; WaPo: Trump's "promise" to foreign leader sparked alarm; Sources: White House & Justice Dept advised DNI to withhold whistleblower complaint from Congress; Wash Post: Trump's "promise" to foreign leader so troubling it sparked whistleblower complaint; Buttigieg: Trump Admin "muzzling" the Inspector General; Buttigieg: "very concerned" about escalations with Iran; Buttigieg rel...

Sep 19, 201938 min

Trump names 4th national security advisor amid Iran tensions; Feds: airline mechanic accuse of sabotage had ISIS video on phone; Trump to visit border wall as another top DHS official fired; Chilling back-to-school ads call for tighter gun restriction

Pompeo arrives in Saudi Arabia, calls oil attacks "act of war"; Saudi show alleged Iranian weapons used in oil field attacks; Pres Trump announces plans for new sanctions on Iran; Trump: plenty of time to do some "dastardly things" to Iran; Dem Sen Murphy: no secret defense treaty with Saudi Araba; Feds say airline mechanic accused of sabotage told co-workers his brother was a member of ISIS; Trump takes aim at California while he's visiting state; Trump expected to raise as much as $15 mill in ...

Sep 18, 201939 min
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