

State of the Union
CNN Podcasts
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

Jun 5, 2022 • 44min
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 panel features Texas Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, CNN Political Commentator Scott Jennings, conservative lawyer George Conway and CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison discussing what the bipartisan Senate group on gun control will be able to agree on and pass, as well as what the goal of the upcoming January 6 committee hearings should be.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 29, 2022 • 51min
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 tackle gun violence. Will things be different this time?Then, Dana speaks with Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas about law enforcement accountability for the Uvalde shooting response and his stances on universal background checks, a new red flag law and raising the minimum gun ownership age to 21. After, Dana goes one-on-one with Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger about why he changed his mind to back some gun restrictions, how the GOP is “frightened of the loudest voices” on guns and Kevin McCarthy’s decision not to comply with a January 6 subpoena as it stands.Finally, Dana speaks with the Director of Children’s Services at Hill Country MHDD, Melissa Ramirez, about how her organization is preparing to help grieving Texans following the Uvalde massacre.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 22, 2022 • 40min
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 Josh Shapiro joins to discuss his plan to address rising prices in the state, his stance on abortion restrictions, and his opponent's attempts to throw out Pennsylvania's 2020 election results.
Plus, this week's panel discusses the Republican party’s divide ahead of the upcoming primary election in Georgia, as well as a new poll that shows 78% of Americans say the United States is headed in the wrong direction.
On today’s panel: Former Speechwriter for President Biden Jeff Nussbaum, CNN Political Commentator Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers, CNN Political Commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 15, 2022 • 50min
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 the minimum age to own assault style weapons to 21, and if he will move to ban abortion in Nebraska if Roe v. Wade is overturned. After, Dana talks to President of Finland Sauli Niinistö about his country’s decision to formally apply to join NATO and what Putin said to President Niinistö when he called to announce those plans.
On today’s panel: Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow, Former Congresswoman Mia Love, Democratic Strategist Paul Begala, CNN Political Commentator David Urban.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 8, 2022 • 50min
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. They also discuss what Democrats are doing to oppose this potentially seismic shift for abortion access in the US, as well as her accusation that the conservative members of the court lied about their stance on abortion rights during their confirmation hearings. Was it perjury?After, Jake interviews US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield about Russia’s nuclear threats ahead of its ‘Victory Day’ celebrations, as well as the intelligence the Biden administration is supplying to the Ukrainian military on Russian targets. Finally, Jake and the panel discuss the potential impact of the Supreme Court deciding to overturn Roe v. Wade and what that could mean for the future of other landmark decisions, including same-sex marriage.On today’s panel: Editor-in-Chief of The Dispatch Jonah Goldberg, Democratic Strategist Hilary Rosen, President of the Judicial Crisis Network Carrie Severino and CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 1, 2022 • 40min
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 criticizing his fellow Republicans, and Governor Ron DeSantis' move to punish Disney for opposing Florida's law limiting discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools.After, the panel discuss the midterm elections and what messages Democrats need to focus on to win voters over in November. Plus, as Republican candidates battle it out ahead of Tuesday's primaries, is former President Trump still a kingmaker? Finally, Dana reports on a dark chapter in Polish history, where in 1968 its communist government forced thousands of Jews to leave the country in an anti-Semitic purge, which stands in stark contrast to the generosity and compassion the country is now showing Ukrainian refugees fleeing Putin’s war.Panel: Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd, former Obama White House Senior Director Nayyera Haq, and CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers.Hosted by Dana Bash.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 24, 2022 • 45min
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 the federal mask mandate on transportation, Dana asks White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha whether mask requirements are still necessary. And, this week's panel discusses a leaked phone call where U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy suggested former President Trump should resign after the January 6 insurrection, as well as the battle between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Disney.
On today's panel: Former Atlanta Major Keisha Lance Bottoms, Former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush Scott Jennings, Former DNC Communications Director Xochitl Hinojosa, and Former White House Director of Strategic Communications Alyssa Farah Griffin.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 17, 2022 • 40min
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 song in support of refugees. To donate and help refugees please visit: cnn.com/impactTo learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 10, 2022 • 51min
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 refugee crisis. Plus: a deep dive into Ukraine's painful history of oppression by the Soviet Union and its impact on their fight today.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 3, 2022 • 43min
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 Maryland GOP Governor Larry Hogan, where they discuss what can be done to provide relief to Americans at the gas pump, former President Trump's brazen call for Putin to release negative information on the Biden family, and the backlash over Florida's so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. After, Dana and the panel discuss the pressure Attorney General Merrick Garland is under to take decisive action over January 6, as well as potential impact lingering challenges still facing the US economy could have on Democrats' midterm election hopes. Later, Ukrainian Parliament Member Anastasia Radina joins to talk about her visit to Congress where she made an impassioned plea for more aid for her country.
Panel: CNN Political Commentator David Urban, Former House Intelligence Committee Member Rep. Jane Harman, Political Columnist for 'The Bulwark' Amanda Carpenter, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna.
Hosted by Dana Bash. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


