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The Lead with Jake Tapper
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.
President Trump appears to doze off during his own cabinet meeting while just minutes earlier we learn new details about that second follow-up strike on the suspected drug boat. Plus, as many Americans are struggling with the cost of living, Donald Trump says that any questions about affordability are a Democratic scam.
Dec 3, 2025
President Trump and his top national security officials meet behind closed doors about the next steps for Venezuela. This comes as lawmakers from both parties are raising grave concerns about a follow-up strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean where the US military killed survivors of the first strike.
Dec 2, 2025
President Trump is escalating his already aggressive immigration crackdown in the wake of the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC. He’s taking an even closer look at immigrants legally in the United States and those waiting to get in.
Nov 29, 2025
Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot in downtown Washington, DC just blocks away from the White House. Both guardsmen are in critical condition and officials are calling this a targeting shooting saying they were ambushed by a lone gunman.
Nov 27, 2025
Signals emerge that the United States and Ukraine are closer to a plan that could be the first step toward negotiating an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Plus, behind the scenes discussions on Capitol Hill about health care reform.
Nov 26, 2025
A federal judge tosses the indictments against two perceived Trump opponents, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. A look at why the judge says the Trump loyalists behind those indictments was unlawfully appointed.
Nov 25, 2025
Polar opposites of the American political spectrum, Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, meet at the White House. Also, a look into what the people of Ukraine want from the resolution to the war. Plus, the holiday rush begins one week out from Thanksgiving.
Nov 22, 2025
How can the United States have a stronger than expected jobs report while the unemployment rate went up? Plus, the Justice Department opens up yet another mortgage fraud investigation, this one involving Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.
Nov 21, 2025
So, when will America finally see the highly-anticipated Epstein files? Who are the pedophile's clients? How much data will be redacted? Attorney General Pam Bondi is weighing in. Plus, updates in the criminal case against former FBI director James Comey.
Nov 20, 2025
First the House and now the Senate is voting possibly as soon as tonight on the Epstein files and releasing them. This as lawmakers agree it is time see everything the Justice Department has on the dead pedophile and sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and any other accomplice.
Nov 19, 2025
