State of the Union with Jake Tapper and Dana Bash — Season 2024

First, with just a week to go to the Iowa Caucuses, Donald Trump is dominating the political conversation with wild and outlandish comments. Former Vice President Mike Pence joins Jake to discuss whether he plans to endorse any of Trump's 2024 rivals, the GOP's embrace of January 6 conspiracy theories, and his efforts to rally American support for Israel three months after the October 7 attacks. Then, facing political headwinds, President Biden tries to refocus the race on Donald Trump.

First Jake goes one-on-one with GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, who responds to the final Des Moines Register poll showing him trailing significantly behind Trump and Haley ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Jake presses DeSantis on what a third place finish in Iowa would mean for the rest of his campaign and asks DeSantis if he underestimated Trump's grip on the Republican Party. Next, Jake interviews Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and his push to restrict US military support for Israel. They also discuss US strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen and how Biden's handling of the situation in the Middle East will impact Biden's support among young voters in the election. After, CNN Senior Political commentator David Axelrod and former Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan join Jake to preview what they think will happen in the GOP Iowa caucuses. Then, our panel breaks down the Des Moines Register Iowa poll and what the outcome of the caucuses could mean for the rest of the GOP primary. Finally, Jake digs into Trump's most brazen argument in the January 6 case against him. 

First, with just 2 days before the New Hampshire primary elections, Dana and CNN Political Director David Chalian dive into our brand new CNN poll that shows a clear lead for Donald Trump. As the former President makes his final pitch to primary voters, can anyone stop him? Next, Nikki Haley turns up the heat on Trump, while he tries to undercut Hayley with support from her home state. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott joins Dana exclusively to explain why he backed Doald Trump over his former governor. And, as President Biden hits the campaign trail, his political and policy challenges collide on the border and his support for Israel. What case should he make to voters? Biden campaign national co-chair and Democratic Sen. Chris Coons joins Dana. Plus, our panel previews what to expect from New Hampshire's all-important primary. 

First, President Biden embraces tougher immigration policies and pushes for Congress to pass a bipartisan border deal. But will Republicans balk amid pressure from Donald Trump? Dana asks key negotiator Sen. Chris Murphy. Then, with both Trump and President Biden looking past the primaries to November, has the general election already begun? Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Dana to discuss. And, with tensions high amid a standoff between Republican governors and federal officials at the border, Dana speaks to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. Plus, our panel previews what to expect from the next few months on the campaign trail. 

First, after the 3rd straight day of US strikes against Iran-backed militias in the Middle East, can America avoid a wider conflict? US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan joins us to break down the aftermath of this retaliation. Then, with just three weeks until Republicans in South Carolina vote, Donald Trump's team says it's over. But as Nikki Haley ups the ante, what's her end-game? GOP Presidential candidate Nikki Haley is here exclusively. And, President Biden swept South Carolina with his first official primary win last night. We are joined by the man whose endorsement propelled Joe Biden to the White House, South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn. Plus, Dana and the panel discuss the brewing fight inside the Republican Party and the results of the South Carolina Democratic primary. 

CNN's Jake Tapper presses Senator Marco Rubio's (R-FL) decision not to support the bipartisan border security deal despite it receiving support from the National Border Patrol Union. Former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversaw the Mueller investigation, joins CNN's Jake Tapper to discuss the special counsel report on President Biden's handling of classified documents.Democratic California Representative Ro Khanna, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator Alyssa Farah Griffin and Democratic Strategist Adrienne Elrod join CNN's Jake Tapper to discuss one of Joe Biden's biggest political weaknesses with voters: his mental fitness.

Today Jake speaks to former Rep. Congresswoman Liz Cheney about the news of Alexey Navalny's reported death in a Russian prison and then Trumps silence on the issue and Republican opposition to a bill that would send aid to Israel and Ukraine.   Then, in a 1-on-1 interview with Rep. Senator Tim Scott talks about Trumps comments about not defending NATO allies and the fall of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka to Russian forces.   Plus, Jake and the panel discuss Trumps railing against $355 million dollar ruling in civil fraud case and Nikki Haley's pivotal test in South Carolina. 

First, Dana speaks with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss congress blocking aid to Ukraine, Putin's treatment of Navalny and the news that negotiators have agreed an outline of Israel-Hamas hostage deal.   Then, Governor of Texas Greg Abbott dismisses speculation about Trump VP pick, weighs in on Alabama IVF ruling and is pressed on the border crisis.   And, Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer talks about the potential Biden protest in Michigan, says that the Michigan primary is a ‘very high stakes moment' and the IVF ruling shows that reproductive rights ‘still very much at risk' if Trump wins.   Plus, Dana and the panel discuss Trumps decisive win in North Carolina, home state of rival Nikki Haley. Is she still in the running? 

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas; Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.; North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, Democratic candidate for governor.

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Nanette Barragán, D-Calif.

Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md.; Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.; Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

Reps. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and Ro Khanna, D-Calif.; Ronan and Daniel Neutra, relatives of Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra-Orna.

Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and J.D. Vance, R-Ohio.

Govs. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., and Kristi Noem, R-S.D.; Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va.; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.; Ben Sasse, president of the University of Florida.

Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and JD Vance, R-Ohio; Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas; former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn.; former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, D-R.I.

Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee; Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass.; Gov. Chris Sununu, R-N.H.

Govs. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., and Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich.; Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Gov. Doug Burgum, R-N.D.

Reps. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., and Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.

Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and John Fetterman, D-Pa.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va.; Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.; Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo.

Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn.; Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

Sens. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.

Sen. J.D. Vance; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; Govs. J.B. Pritzker, D-Ill., and Chris Sununu, R-N.H.

Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Sen. J.D. Vance; Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich.; Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

Gov. JB Pritzker, D-Ill.; Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C.

Sen. Mark Kelly; Lara Trump, co-chair of the Republican National Committee; former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Republican nominee for Senate; Jonathan Greenblatt, director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.; Reps. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and James Clyburn, D-S.C.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa.

Sen. J.D. Vance, Liz Cheney; Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa.

CNN's Dana Bash asks Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) about former President Trump spreading false claims of voting fraud in Pennsylvania and predicting a massive victory despite the polls showing a tight race.Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman joins CNN's Dana Bash to discuss how Harris is performing in the key battleground state and Trump's 'connection' with voters in Pennsylvania.As the presidential election comes down to the wire, CNN Senior Political Commentators David Axelrod and David Urban, along with CNN Political Commentators Kristen Soltis Anderson and Bakari Sellers join CNN's Dana Bash to discuss the presidential candidates' closing messages and what we can learn from last-minute polling.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan doesn't rule out investigating Special Counsel Jack Smith or calling him to testify but tells CNN's Dana Bash, "We're not taking anything off the table." Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders joins CNN's Dana Bash for a wide-ranging discussion on what went wrong for Democrats in the 2024 presidential election and where the progressive movement should go from here. CNN political commentators Jamal Simmons, Ashley Allison, Brad Todd, and Scott Jennings join Dana Bash to discuss what Biden can achieve in his final days as President.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.; Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa.; Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.

Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Shermichael Singleton, Karen Finney and Jamal Simmons discuss how Mitch McConnell will adjust to life not in leadership and the potential roadblocks to confirm Trump's cabinet picks.

NSA Jake Sullivan; Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.

Sens. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich.Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Alyssa Farah Griffin and Jamal Simmons join CNN'S Jake Tapper to react to President-elect Donald Trump's latest comment on jailing members of the Select Committee on January 6.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty joins CNN's Dana Bash to discuss his party's chaotic handling of the government funding fight.Democratic Senator Chris Coons reacts to reports that President Biden is considering commuting the sentences of federal death row inmates before leaving office.CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Karen Finney join Dana Bash to break down how the fight over government spending previews difficulties ahead for Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Democratic Sen. Andy Kim tells CNN's Dana Bash that Trump's return to power is a "challenge" but says, "it's important to be able to engage right now, now more than ever." Outgoing New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu defends his past criticism of Trump and tells CNN's Dana Bash there's "always been a spectrum" within the Republican Party.CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Karen Finney join Dana Bash to break down Joe Biden's legacy as his presidency comes to a close and their predictions for the next four years. CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Karen Finney join Dana Bash to discuss Donald Trump's upcoming second term as President.