Stay ConnectedStarting August 2, 2026 all new episodes can be found over in the CNN 5 Things feed. Search “CNN 5 Things” wherever you get your podcasts.
You’ve been overwhelmed with headlines all week – what’s worth a closer look? One Thing takes you beyond the headlines and helps make sense of what everyone is talking about. Host David Rind talks to experts, reporters on the front lines and the real people impacted by the news about what they’ve learned – and why it matters.
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As DOGE-led cuts continue to rock the federal government, we hear from National Parks employees about what’s at stake for visitors and wildlife, as well as the threat to the preservation of the history behind public lands.
Guests: Andria Townsend & Helen Dhue
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As federal agents detain a growing number of international college students, some are wondering: where are they getting these names? We hear about pro-Israel groups working to reveal details about student activists and how it could chill free speech.
Guests: Gloria Pazmino, CNN Correspondent
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Elon Musk and other outside groups have poured millions of dollars into advertising and organizing ahead of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election on Tuesday. We hear about why the outcome could tell us something about the national political mood early into the second Trump administration.
Guest: Arlette Saenz, CNN Correspondent
Have a tip or question about the new Trump administration? Call us at 202-240-2895.
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As datasets and web pages across the federal government disappear to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders, a coalition of concerned citizens is rushing to preserve information and access. We talk to one of the researchers behind the Data Rescue Project about how they're doing that work and how federal data purges could impact trust in government.
Guest: Lynda Kellam
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Since Inauguration Day, Tesla has seen its stock price drop amid declining consumer interest and occasionally violent protests pushing back against CEO Elon Musk. We hear from drivers who have (and haven’t) ditched their cars and explore why it’s not just DOGE giving the company reason to worry.
Guest: Allison Morrow, CNN Business Senior Writer
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The Trump White House is denying it defied a judge’s order to halt deportation flights by using a wartime power to speed up removals. A former federal prosecutor tells us why the administration’s rhetoric may be brasher than its legal arguments.
Guest: Elie Honig, CNN Senior Legal Analyst
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A Trump administration effort to deport prominent Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has sparked fear on college campuses across the country that other international students could be targeted for their views. A year after student protests unsettled the nation, we look at the new administration’s moves on college campuses and hear from someone worried even US citizens could soon be caught up in the crackdown.
Guests: Belinda Davis, Rutgers University Professor of History
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Ahead of a March 13 deadline for federal agencies to submit reductions in force plans, one agency in particular has drawn the attention of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency: The Social Security Administration. We explore why advocates fear crucial outdated technology is ripe for outages which could put vulnerable Americans at risk.
Guest: Tami Luhby, CNN Senior Writer
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Democrats continue to struggle with being an effective opposition party in a Washington under full Republican control. Ahead of a looming government shutdown, we hear from one lawmaker who thinks they’re “getting there.” Will voters buy it?
Guest: Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)
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As President Donald Trump reshapes international relations and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency continues to gut the federal workforce, CNN wanted to know how his most diehard supporters feel about Trump 2.0. We found some are willing to tolerate potential financial hardship – but for how long?
Guests: Elle Reeve, CNN Correspondent
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