The Lead with Jake Tapper

Special counsel Robert Hur could have brought charges against President Biden and today explained on Capitol Hill why he did not. Republicans asked why there weren’t charges despite a report finding Joe Biden knowingly mishandled classified documents. Democrats accused Hurt of playing politics with his report. Plus, why did the Justice Department release a transcript of Biden's interview with Robert Hur just as the special counsel was showing up on Capitol Hill? We break down what the transcript reveals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 Mar 20241h 22min

“Trump Employee 5”, a man named Brian Butler, an employee of Trump for 20 years, is a central witness in the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents. He is now speaking publicly because he believes that voters should hear the truth about his former boss and the case before the November election.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Mar 20241h 23min

The man Trump belittles as Sleepy Joe seemed quite fiery last night as the president tries to flip the script launching a campaign blitz just one day after his forceful State of the Union address. Plus, Donald Trump's one-on-one at Mar-a-Lago today, meeting with Hungary's Viktor Orban, the authoritarian leader known for anti-immigration nationalist rhetoric and who often cozies up to Vladimir Putin. Also, see what happened when CNN confronted Israeli protesters determined to make sure little food, if any, makes it into Gaza despite the overwhelming humanitarian crisis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Mar 20241h 17min

President Joe Biden is expected to deliver his State of the Union address tonight in a high-stakes moment to convince voters to give him a second term in the White House. The president's speech is expected to include calls for higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. He also plans to take a swipe at former President Donald Trump, vow to restore Roe and acknowledge his age.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Mar 20241h 15min

Nikki Haley exits and clears the way for a Biden-Trump rematch. The president is making a play for her voters while Donald Trump is racking up some new GOP endorsements including a big one from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Also, a look at the chances of a third-party candidate jumping into this race this hour. The chief strategist for No Labels party joins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Mar 202442min

All nine Supreme Court justices agree that Colorado cannot kick Trump off its 2024 ballots regardless of what he did on January 6th. There is a sharp divide in the court over important details despite this unanimous ruling. Plus, we'll get reaction from Trump's top Republican challenger, Nikki Haley, and from a conservative judge who thought the U.S. Supreme Court should disqualify Trump. Also, CNN is on the ground in yet another war torn country, this time its Haiti. We’re there to see up close how the explosion of gangs and crime have taken over.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Mar 20241h 24min

Fani Willis' fate is now in a judge's hands. She's the woman who charged Donald Trump with attempting to overturn the 2020 election in the state of Georgia. But now she herself is facing allegations of an improper relationship with the special prosecutor she put on the case. The judge says he'll make his decision in about two weeks.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2 Mar 20241h 11min

President Biden and Donald Trump are both in Texas trying to blame each other for the crisis at the border. Republicans and Democrats who represent border towns weigh in. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Trump's legal team is pushing back as yet another state has tried to take him off its 2024 ballot. Also on today's show: We explore the chaos on the coast in Gaza after the Israeli military opened fire as crowds rushed food aid trucks. More than 100 people are believed to have been killed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Mar 20241h 41min