POLITICO Playbook Daily Briefing - POLITICO

Latest Episodes:

A short shutdown? Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

The House is returning today to pick up the pieces of a funding fight that plunged the government into another shutdown. Speaker Mike Johnson is faced with the prospect of getting Republicans in line with a razor-thin majority, while Democrats hash out the reforms that they want to see ICE undertake in the wake of the Trump administration’s unprecedented mass deportation agenda and immigration crackdown. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the debate that’s gripping Congress this week. Plus, Trump’s foray into legacy building — literally — continues.

GOP Senator Tillis is done mincing words | "The Conversation" Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

Senator Thom Tillis calls for the resignation of Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller in a forthright interview with Dasha Burns for “The Conversation.” The North Carolina Republican made his comments after the shootings of two citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. In a wide-ranging discussion, Tillis talked about tariffs, his hopes for President Trump and his worries for the future of the Republican Party.

Trump’s Fed pick is coming Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump said he will make his pick to take over as the next chair of the Federal Reserve on Friday. The announcement will end months of speculation and intrigue over who Trump wants to lead the central bank — an institution that he has attempted to exert unprecedented pressure on since he returned to office. The shortlist was narrowed down to four names under consideration — but Trump dropped a big hint about his choice on Thursday night. Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly dig into the dynamics surrounding the decision.

Shutdown déjà vu Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

The deadline to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year is looming at the end of the week — and there’s an open question whether Congress is barreling toward yet another shutdown. Republicans and Democrats have been haggling this week over funding for DHS following the fatal shooting in Minnesota last weekend amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The first critical procedural vote is slated for today. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Congress reporter Mia McCarthy break down what to watch for from the Hill.

The immigration divides Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Republicans and Democrats are searching for the right message on immigration as the fallout from the most recent fatal shooting in Minneapolis continues reverberating across America. Republicans are trying to toe the line between President Donald Trump’s unprecedented immigration crackdown, while Democrats are debating whether to shut the government down amid the furor. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly break down how each party is approaching the issue and what it means for the weeks and months ahead.

Trump’s Minnesota messaging shift Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

As the furor over this weekend’s deadly shooting in Minnesota continues to unfold, President Donald Trump appears to be shifting his approach. Trump is sidelining some administration officials and bringing in border czar Tom Homan to provide something of a steadier hand as the White House tries to contain the fallout. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss what the shift means for the White House and the situation on the ground. Plus, Trump is headed to Iowa to kick off a midterm-year tour across America.

More Minnesota shooting fallout Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

After another fatal shooting in Minnesota over the weekend, the Trump administration and Minnesota officials are in dispute over the facts. Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday during an encounter between observers and federal agents. The latest shooting comes less than a month after an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the fallout from the incident. Plus, the winter storm that descended around D.C. this weekend has tightened the timeline for Congress to avoid another government shutdown.

Kelly's green Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is making big money moves. In an effort to help flip control of Congress in the midterms, Kelly has used the extra attention that President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign against him to dramatically ramp up his giving and fundraising for competitive candidates, party committees and state parties. But more than anything, Kelly's rising national profile shows Trump has a unique ability to elevate foils. Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss whether Trump’s instinctual attacks will serve Republicans or Democrats more in the 2028 presidential race.

A peace of work Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump is still in Davos, where his Board of Peace is the issue that is driving the conversation at the World Economic Forum. The entity that Trump has proposed to oversee the peace process in Gaza is cause for consternation among many of the countries who received invites to join. But it is that very list of invitees — which includes the likes of China and Russia — that is ruffling feathers among the traditional ally set. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the latest upheaval that Trump has brought to Davos. Plus, could there be a breakthrough on a Ukraine-Russia peace deal?

Trump descends on Davos Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump is arriving in Davos today as the subject of nearly every conversation. Trump’s push to bring Greenland under U.S. control has dominated the discussion at the World Economic Forum, even as the president prepares to deliver a speech before those gathered in Switzerland on Wednesday. While the world will be parsing every word in his address, the real tea leaves to read may come out of Trump’s meetings with world leaders on the sidelines. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House and foreign affairs correspondent Eli Stokols discuss the stakes of Trump’s trip, plus the big case to watch at the Supreme Court on Wednesday.