showcast
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.

On CNN’s State of the Union, House Speaker Mike Johnson joins Jake to discuss the looming government shutdown and what will be on the table when Trump hosts Democratic leaders at the White House. Jake also presses Johnson over the Comey indictment and Trump publicly pressuring the Justice Department to go after his political opponents. Then, former FBI Deputy Director and CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Andrew McCabe joins Jake to respond to Comey’s indictment and questions over whether he is...Show more involved in the case. Then, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen tells Jake that Democratic leaders should “hold the line” ahead of the government shutdown. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Bakari Sellers, Kristen Soltis Anderson and CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings spar over the fallout from the Comey indictment.
Sep 28, 2025
On CNN's State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Chuck Schumer on whether Democrats will shut down the government. John Fetterman responds to Schumer and discusses whether Democrats can win back the Senate in 2026. Senator Markwayne Mullin responds to Trump increasing pressure on the DOJ to investigate his political enemies. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett explains why she voted no to the Charlie Kirk resolution in the House.
Sep 21, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joins Dana Bash on the latest in the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s assassination, as well as his appeal to Americans to turn away from political violence. Then, Republican Senator and pastor James Lankford joins Dana to discuss the rise in political violence and what responsibility lawmakers have to lower the temperature. Next, Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, and CNN Senio...Show morer Political Commentator David Urban break down the path forward for a deeply-divided American. After, the panelists share what’s giving them hope in a dark time. Finally, Dana warns about the impact social media algorithms are having on Americans.
Sep 14, 2025
On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses FL Surgeon General on him not conducting any study before calling to lift vaccine mandate. Doctor Paul Offit responds. And White House Border Czar Tom Homan says sanctuary cities across America will be seeing immigration raids this week. Our panelists Rep. Kim Schrier, Scott Jennings, Xochitl Hinojosa, and Shermichael Singleton discuss Vice President Vance's fiery twitter exchange and who the next leaders of the Democratic Party will be.
Sep 7, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Brianna Keilar and White House Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka spar over right-wing claims about the prevalence of mass shootings by transgender people. Next, Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar joins to respond and discuss how her community is dealing with the aftermath of the Minneapolis school shooting. Then, Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell, Republican Congressman Buddy Carter, CNN Political Commentator Kate Bedingfield, and CNN Senior Polit...Show moreical Commentator Scott Jennings discuss the upheaval at the CDC and confusion over vaccine access. Finally, World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain joins Brianna to share what she saw on a recent trip to Gaza, as well as to reflect on the anniversary of her husband John McCain’s passing.
Aug 31, 2025
On CNN's State of the Union, Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses with Dana Bash New York's redistricting plans, the party's loss of voters, and the President reviewing exhibits within the Smithsonian museums. Former Chicago Mayor and U-S Ambassador Rahm Emanuel slams President Trump's new plans to send troops into Chicago and reacts to global experts officially declaring a man-made famine in Gaza city. Our Panelists Brad Todd, Xochitl Hinojosa, Jonah Goldberg and Karen Finney discuss new reporting on Trump's detailed plans to send troops into Chicago. Plus, California Governor Gavin Newsom's trolling of Trump on social media reaches level 10.
Aug 24, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff joins Jake to discuss what he says was “substantial progress” in the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Then, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence joins Jake to react to Trump rolling out the red carpet for Putin. Next, CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Brad Todd, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and former State Department Senior Adviser Nayyera Haq join Jake to discuss Trump’s summit, as well as his escalating redistricting push. Finally, Jake reflects on Trump’s summit and wonders whether his willingness to accommodate Putin may have made peace less likely.
Aug 17, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash travels to Wheeling, West Virginia for an exclusive interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders. They discuss his push to bring his progressive message to red states, the Democratic Party’s struggles with working-class voters, the escalating showdown over redistricting in red and blue states, the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, and what the future holds for him and his movement.
Plus, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker joins Dana to discuss President Trump’s s...Show moreummit with Vladimir Putin later this week in Alaska.
Finally, former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, Democratic Strategist Mo Elleithee, and CNN Political Commentators Kristen Soltis Anderson and Ashley Allison join Dana to break down this high-stakes moment for Trump’s economic and foreign policy agenda, as well as what the Texas redistricting fight means for the future of American democracy.
Aug 10, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s ability to fight climate change by rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases. Next, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis joins Kasie to discuss tariffs and his p...Show morearty’s struggle to counter Trump across the board. Finally, Bernie Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir and CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Brad Todd, and Jonah Goldberg join Kasie to break down Kamala Harris’ return to the spotlight as Democrats weigh who can win in 2028.
Aug 3, 2025
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin discusses the Epstein controversy with Jake Tapper and what it will take for the Trump administration to move on from the crisis. White House Budget Director Russ Vought tells Jake Tapper about plans for another recissions package and the tools the administration might use to achieve spending cuts. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly discusses what he has been hearing from voters at townhalls about Democratic favorability problems and whether the US bears any blame for the starvation crisis in Gaza. And the panel weighs in.
Jul 27, 2025