CNN Inside Politics

First: In exactly 12 hours, the federal government will shut down unless Congress acts fast. Speaker Mike Johnson claims he now has a plan. But does he have the votes?  Plus: Who's the boss? Dana talks to a top Democratic senator about his party's negotiations behind the scenes, including why they think it is Elon Musk calling the shots in the GOP.  And: Where's Joe? The current president is noticeably out of sight as the government he runs braces for a potential shutdown. We have new reporting on the waning days of President Biden's administration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today show begins, federal charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, have just been unsealed. Our coverage begins with CNN senior crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump issues a not-so-veiled threat against a political enemy, signaling he may follow through on his promise to use his power of the presidency to pursue his opponents.  Plus: Matt Gaetz responds to a CNN report that the House Ethics Committee plans to release its report on his alleged sexual misconduct, saying the details that could could go public are embarrassing but not criminal.  And: California governor or another shot at the oval office? New reporting on Kamala Harris's next act, including what her closest advisers think she'll decide.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: It's RFK Jr.'s turn to pound the congressional marble as Donald Trump's pick for health secretary tries to convince key Republican senators to support his nomination despite conflicting views on one of the most important issues to the GOP: abortion.  Plus: We take you to state capitals across the country as presidential electors cast their votes this hour to formalize Donald Trump's victory.  And: Another community is in mourning after a 15-year-old girl opened fire in her Wisconsin school.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show begins just after President-elect Donald Trump holds his first press conference since Election Day.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Honeymoon phase. Donald Trump taking a victory lap. But with controversial cabinet picks and a messy pressure campaign - Is it effective? How long will it last? Plus: Uncertain path. Democrats look to find their footing in Trump's Washington -- fight tooth and nail. Or cut deals? Who will lead them back to power. We'll have new reporting about Kamala Harris's plans, and I'll talk to a candidate who wants to run the DNC. And: A house divided. A GOP split over a bill protecting kids on social media. Speaker Johnson saying no. As Elon musk and Senate allies rally for it. Who holds the power in Trump's GOP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: It's been 38 days since the election, and 38 days from now, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office for the second time. We've got the latest on the transition, including how Pete Hegseth's path to confirmation is looking a bit smoother, while Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s may be getting a bit rockier.  Plus: Trump says he may pardon January 6 rioters within minutes of taking office. We have new CNN reporting on whether that will include the hundreds of defendants accused of assaulting police officers that day.  And: He may be the most powerful figure in Trump world that you have never heard of. We'll tell you about the 38-year-old conservative in charge of hiring thousands of Trump loyalists to staff the federal government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: For the second time, Time names Donald Trump "Person of the Year," giving him the recognition he craves while revealing crucial details about what America's health programs, justice system and foreign policy will look like when he takes the oath of office just 39 days from now.  Plus: Democratic Senator John Fetterman says his party can't "freak out" about everything Trump does. Today, he'll sit down with the president-elect's controversial choice to lead the Pentagon - the first Democrat to meet with any of Trump's cabinet picks.  And: Dana talks to a top Democrat about the FBI director's decision to step aside so Donald Trump can dramatically reshape the bureau in his image.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Results of a brand new CNN poll show most Americans approve of how Donald Trump is handling his transition to the White House, and are optimistic about his presidency.  Plus: Officials now have forensic evidence tying Luigi Mangione to the exact spot UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Manhattan as investigators track down new clues about a potential motive.  And: Rows of Lamborghinis and Ferraris are among the luxuries CNN saw in our inside look at former Syrian President's Bashar al-Assad's opulent palace.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're getting new details about the investigation into a privileged young man charged with murdering one of the top business leaders in America, including how he was reported missing just weeks before the shooting.  Plus: Last week, the Pete Hegseth nomination was on life support. Today, once- skeptical GOP senators appear to be rallying behind Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And: Dana speaks with a former hostage who spent 51 days in Hamas captivity. Her husband remains a prisoner. She shares excruciating details about the treatment she endured and has a message for both President Biden and President-elect Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, police were questioning a 26-year-old man in Pennsylvania in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this week in New York City. CNN's Brynn Gingras and John Miller join Dana with the latest on the case.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Assad toppled. The Syrian dictator's regime collapses in a stunning overnight victory for rebel forces. As Donald Trump returns to the world stage in France. How will the president-elect handle his global tests? Plus: Digging in. New comments from Trump show he's standing by his man. And: Times up for TikTok? A federal court clears the way for a TikTok ban in just six weeks. But as 170 million Americans brace for change, will Trump enforce it? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Breaking news on possible DNA evidence related to the Manhattan CEO murder and new information on how investigators are trying to close in on the gunman's identity.  Plus: Donald Trump boosts his embattled Pentagon pick, posting "Pete is a winner." It's a new public show of support for a nomination that is essentially hanging by a thread.  And: Dana discusses preemptive pardon possibilities with Democratic powerbroker Jim Clyburn.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We bring you new developments on the hunt for an assassin who took out one of the most powerful business leaders in America. The search is accompanied by growing law enforcement concern that more than 24 hours after the Manhattan murder, the suspect could be anywhere.  Plus: Refusing to retreat, Donald Trump's embattled Pentagon pick says he has the full support of the president-elect. Nevertheless, some Republican senators remain skeptical, including one who's dropping some not-so-subtle, not-so-positive hints about him.  And: Dana talks to a powerful Republican committee chair who will meet with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy today.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we're still learning about the shocking murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson this morning outside the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan. Our coverage begins with a live report from CNN correspondent Brynn Gingras.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: South Korea, a key US ally, is reeling after its democratically elected president declared martial law. CNN is live on the ground with the latest.  Plus: Booze, unwanted advances and an Islamophobic chant are some only some of the new allegations facing Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon.  And: Top strategists from both parties will debate the question many are grappling with in the political environment: What's the moral high ground?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We bring you the mixed reaction from last night's surprise White House announcement that Joe Biden issued a "full and unconditional pardon" for his son, Hunter, whom the president says was unfairly targeted.  Plus: Senate Republicans stand in the way of Kash Patel becoming the FBI director or confirm the man who promises to dismantle the law enforcement agency and rebuild it exactly how Donald Trump wants it.  And: Democrats are looking for a new DNC chair. Dana talks to someone who thinks he's best equipped for the job of guiding the party out of the wilderness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Bombshell pick. President-elect Trump chooses a new FBI director. Controversial loyalist Kash Patel. Can he get confirmed? What will he do if he is? My panel of experts will break it all down. And: The Elon effect. Elon Musk celebrates Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago as the Tesla CEO gears up for his new role. How will he shape the future of government? Tesla and SpaceX investor Cathie Wood will join me live. Plus: Democrats search for a path forward. Who will they choose to lead their party in the new Trump era? I'll ask Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump spent Thanksgiving night with loved ones Melania, Barron and ... Elon Musk? We look at their relationship and preview Musk's trip to Washington next week to meet with Republican lawmakers.  Plus: A controversy over raw milk as bird flu is found in another batch of it in California. Experts say unpasteurized milk is a vector for infectious diseases. But Robert F Kennedy Jr. wants more Americans drinking it and may soon be in a position to promote it.  And: What went wrong? A top Democratic pollster joins the show with some tough truths for his party about why they lost the presidency and the path back to power in 2026.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: With 54 days until inauguration the president elect has already filled out his cabinet. Now he's preparing an agenda to quickly push through a narrowly divided Congress.  Plus: The Harris campaign brain trust is defending the decisions they made in the final weeks of the campaign. So why do they think Trump won?  And: Elon Musk is worth over $350 billion. What will he do with all that money and influence? Wel talk to the author of a new Time magazine cover story on him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices