State of the Union

Latest Episodes:

Interviews with: US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova, Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin. Feb 27, 2022

Show notes

First, Dana checks in with CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward, who is live in Ukraine, about the latest reports on the ground. Then, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield joins Dana to detail the steps the US is taking to help defend Ukraine. After, Senator Mitt Romney weighs in on the US response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and criticizes pro-Putin sentiments among some in the Republican Party. Next, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg responds to Putin’s decision to put Russia’s nuclear weapons on high alert. Then, Dana asks Ukraine’s ambassador to the US Oksana Markarova about the news that Ukraine and Russia will meet for talks at the Belarus border.

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Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Finland President Sauli Niinistö, and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

First, Dana speaks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about whether Russia's plan to invade Ukraine is already in motion, after a series of alleged false flag incidents in Eastern Ukraine and Russia's announcement that it will extend military exercises in Belarus indefinitely.

Then, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö joins to share his unique insight into Russian President Putin's mindset and what he thinks the Ukraine crisis means for the world.

Later, with more Democratic governors lifting Covid-19 restrictions, Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis joins Dana to discuss why he lifted his state's indoor mask mandate more than 8 months ago and doesn't plan on bringing it back.

Plus, the GOP is divided over support for Ukraine, as some Republicans call for sanctions and others question whether the U.S. should be involved at all. And with the midterm elections approaching, what do everyday Americans think about tensions between Ukraine and Russia? CNN Global Affairs Analyst Susan Glasser, CNN Political Commentator & Former Special Assistant to President George W Bush Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator & Republican Strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Democratic Rep. Colin Allred join today's panel.

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Interviews with: National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

First: As Russian troops close in around Ukraine, the White House says an attack could happen any day now and that Americans need to get out now. Can war still be averted? Jake Tapper asks National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.

Next: With his party still in thrall to former President Trump, Maryland Republican Governor Larry Hogan -- a frequent Trump critic -- joins the show to discuss the state of the GOP and explain why he decided not to run for the Senate.

Also: Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen, former Democratic lawmaker Bakari Sellers, former Bush adviser Scott Jennings and former Trump aide Alyssa Farah Griffin explore the Russia-Ukraine crisis, recent reports of former President Trump's mishandling of White House documents and the battle for control of Congress in 2022.

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Exclusive joint interview with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Interview with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield Feb 06, 2022

Show notes

First, in rare joint interview, Jake speaks with key Senators Joe Manchin and Lisa Murkowski about how to work together in a deeply divided Congress. The three discuss if bipartisanship is still possible in today’s Washington, their progress toward reforming the Electoral Count Act, and what’s next for President Biden's agenda on Capitol Hill.
Next, as the Winter Olympics begin with a controversial start in Beijing, Jake speaks with US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She says China is using the Olympics to try to distract from its human rights abuses against Uyghurs. She also discusses whether China is drawing any lessons from the United States’ response to Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Finally, Jake reflects on the last time the world looked the other way on an Olympic host country’s human rights abuses, with the story of Jewish German fencer Helena Mayer and the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

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Interviews with: Sen. Bob Menendez, Sen. Jim Risch, Gov. Chris Sununu, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, and a special report. Jan 30, 2022

Show notes

First, Dana speaks with Sen. Bob Menendez and Sen. Jim Risch of the Foreign Relations Committee about the bipartisan group of Senators who are trying to prevent war between Russia and Ukraine. Next, amidst optimism from top health officials that the Omicron surge is starting to peak, Dana asks New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu about rolling back individual restrictions. Then, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester joins our panel to examine the importance of representation in the Supreme Court as Biden promises to nominate a historic first Black woman justice. Finally, Dana shares a special report on how gerrymandering is accelerating partisan divides and why elected officials all over the country are guilty of trying to seize a dangerous advantage.

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Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Former Trump Advisers Alyssa Griffin and David Urban Jan 23, 2022

Show notes

First, Secretary of State Antony Blinken joins CNN's Dana Bash to discuss growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia after the British government released a statement saying that Russia is working to install a pro-Kremlin leader in Ukraine. Then, Republican Sen. Joni Ernst details her support for immediate sanctions on Russia.

And as two of President Biden's major policy priorities are stalled in the Senate, Biden proposed passing smaller "chunks" of the Build Back Better plan. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders explains how Senate Democrats could make this happen.

Then, New York City Mayor Eric Adams joins to discuss the steps he's taking to make New York City safer after one NYPD police officer was killed this weekend and a total of five police officers have been shot in New York this month.

Finally, former President Trump is facing mounting legal setbacks while the Jan. 6 committee now has access to 700+ pages of Trump White House documents. Former Trump White House Communications Director Alyssa Griffin and former Trump Campaign Adviser David Urban discuss how these threats factor into the former president’s political ambitions.

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Interviews with: Rep. James Clyburn, Sen. Bill Cassidy, Rep. Michael McCaul, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. Jan 16, 2022

Show notes

On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jake sits down with House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn to examine how the civil rights leader’s legacy ties to voting rights battles in Congress today. Then, Jake asks Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy about Republican opposition to Democrats’ election reform bill. Afterwards, Rep. Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses how the United States should respond if Russia invades Ukraine. Next, with Covid-19 infection rates and hospitalizations the highest yet, Jake speaks with US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy about when the Omicron surge will peak and what the Biden administration is doing to ensure tests are available. Finally, Jake closes with an important message about former President Trump’s plan to put loyalists in key positions to advance his seditious conspiracy agenda.

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Interviews with: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson. Jan 09, 2022

Show notes

First, Jake interviews Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Russian aggression overseas and the key test it represents for President Biden. The US vows “massive consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine, but with democracy in peril at home, does the US have leverage? Next, with thousands of kids across the US back to virtual learning due to the Omicron spread, New York City Mayor Eric Adams is drawing a line. He joins Jake to discuss how we can protect the education of our children and also defends the plan to let legal non-citizens vote in NYC.
Then, Jake speaks with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, about how on the anniversary of the insurrection Republican Senator Ted Cruz called January 6 a “terrorist attack” before backtracking during a Fox interview, plus his view on Biden’s vaccine mandates for businesses and the issue of Covid cases skyrocketing to record highs in his state.
Finally, is January 6 who we are? Jake gives an analysis of the Capitol insurrection one year after the attack.

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Interviews with: Rep. Bennie Thompson, Gov. Larry Hogan, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Remembering Sen. Harry Reid Jan 02, 2022

Show notes

First, Dana sits down with the Chairman of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack of the United States Capitol Rep. Bennie Thompson to review what the committee has learned about the impetus of the attack and the role of the former president. Next, as Omicron causes a tidal wave of hospitalizations, travel delays, and school closures, Dana asks Chief Medical Adviser to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci if Americans should be preparing for major societal disruptions in the coming weeks. Then, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland joins to denounce former President Trump’s election lies and review his pandemic response as Maryland hospitals near full capacity. Finally, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid died this week at age 82. Dana remembers his legacy and his parting words to Democrats.

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Interviews with: Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, Republican Rep. Fred Upton, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Longtime Hillary Clinton Aide Huma Abedin Dec 26, 2021

Show notes

First, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell and Republican Rep. Fred Upton join CNN’s Dana Bash to discuss the hostility on Capitol Hill, the hate and polarization in communities across the country, and their thoughts on the whitewashing of the Capitol insurrection. Then, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy details how the pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of America's youth. Finally, longtime aide to Hillary Clinton Huma Abedin is the author of "Both/And: A Life in Many Worlds." She tells Dana about "final straw" in her marriage to former Rep. Anthony Weiner.

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