First: Texas Democrats think up a new tactic to try to block the GOP-led redistricting effort, as state lawmakers could pass it in the coming hours. While in California, that state's legislature there gavels in to try to push their own map proposal.  Plus: Elon Musk reportedly is backing away from his idea to start a new political party. And the reason why might be JD Vance.  And: To the delight of some Democrats but the chagrin of others, California Governor Gavin Newsom, is now playing the role of Donald Trump on social media. Newsom says he's trying to make a very specific point.

Aug 20, 2025

Ukraine's future hinges on President Trump's word and shifting tone. One moment he's pledging support to President Zelensky and the fight for his country's survival. The next Trump seems to be reading from the Russian playbook.  Also on today's show: Republicans are barreling ahead with their power grab now that Democrats are back in the Lone Star State. So what was the point of the latter's 15-day absence there? Dana speaks with one member of the legislature there.

Aug 19, 2025

As today's Inside Politics begins, top European leaders are about to arrive in Washington for a pivotal meeting with President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. More than three years after Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher for that sovereign democracy.

Aug 18, 2025

Jake Tapper steers the Inside Politics ship today live from Anchorage, where President Trump is scheduled to touch down for his historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump will try to end the Russia-Ukraine war he vowed to end within the first 24 hours of his second term. Today will be their very first face- to-face meeting in more than six years, and potentially the most consequential.

Aug 15, 2025

Former national intelligence officer and Russia expert Angela Stent breaks down what President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin want out of their summit—and why it's about more than Ukraine. Plus, she shares why she’s unsure whether Trump will be able to parse Putin’s true intentions after the meeting.  This episode was Produced by Emily Williams.

Aug 15, 2025

First: The White House and the Kremlin are gearing up for what could be a defining moment in global diplomacy, as both President Trump and Putin get a head start on tomorrow's psychological chess with new public comments this morning.  Plus: President Trump is ramping up his federal police takeover of Washington DC, putting more national guardsmen on duty and expanding the mission to round the clock enforcement.  And: Two political titans of the Obama years join us for a strategy session on the question plaguing their party: What is the Democrat's path back to power?

Aug 14, 2025

We begin today's show during another lengthy, wide-ranging press conference by President Trump, this one coming after he announced the latest Kennedy Center honorees and revealed that he will host the awards. Our in-depth analysis of his comments begins with CNN's Kristen Holmes.

Aug 13, 2025

First: President Trump says his unprecedented takeover of the Washington, DC police could extend to other cities across the country. But is the new White House push. about public protection or political posturing? Or maybe both?  Plus: The Texas House just failed to meet a quorum for the fifth time in a row as the Republican governor warns redistricting is inevitable.  And: The president picks a MAGA loyalist to run the nation's most important economic statistics agency, leaving Wall Street questioning whether crucial data can still be taken at face value.

Aug 12, 2025

As today's show gets underway, we are following breaking news regarding a remarkable moment in US history. President Trump has just announced plans to take over law enforcement in the District of Columbia by putting Washington DC police under federal control and deploying nearly 1,000 national guard troops to the capital's streets.

Aug 11, 2025

First: Texas Democrats who left the state in protest face a deadline to get back to the capital. If they don't the Texas attorney general says he'll seek a court order to fire them.  Plus: She prosecuted President Trump and now his Justice Department may prosecute her. The DOJ subpoenas Letitia James, looking for information about her case against the Trump Organization.  And: We introduce you to the biggest company you may never have heard of. It's worth more than Disney, Mcdonald's or Bank of America. And it just signed a $10 billion contract with the Pentagon.

Aug 8, 2025