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Hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, State of the Union features interviews with top newsmakers on politics and policy—covering Washington, the country, and the world.

State of the Union

On CNN's State of the Union, CNN Chief International Security Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh joins Jake Tapper to bring the latest updates in Syria after rebels toppled the Assad regime. Then, former Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper talks with Jake about the future of Syria and the Middle East after the stunning developments in Syria. Next, Jake presses Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin about Trump Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's alleged history with alcohol. After, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin sits down with Jake to talk about Biden's pardons and Trump's cabinet picks. Finally, Rep. Debbie Dingell and CNN Political Commentators Jamal Simmons, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Scott Jennings join Jake to discuss fears of potential retribution under Trump and Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter.
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Interviews with Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin

This week on a special edition of CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down with former presidential candidate and Republican Senator Mitt Romney as he prepares to leave Washington after nearly two decades in politics. First, Romney reacts to Trump’s reelection and his controversial cabinet nominees, as well as concerns Trump could target him for retribution. Then, Romney reflects on his time in office as a governor, senator, and the Republican presidential nominee. Next, Senator Romney offers his insights on the evolution of the Republican Party and where he thinks the GOP will go from here. Finally, Jake asks Romney about his legacy and how he wants to be remembered.
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Exclusive Interview with Republican Senator Mitt Romney

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty over Trump and Elon Musk’s decision to torpedo a bipartisan spending deal and nearly cause a government shutdown. Then, Dana asks Republican Rep. Tim Burchett about Mike Johnson’s future as House Speaker after his handling of the government funding fight. Then, Dana sits down with Democratic Sen. Chris Coons to discuss Biden’s hands-off approach to the shutdown fight and his priorities for the end of his presidency. After, CNN political commentators Bakari Sellers, Scott Jennings, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Karen Finney breakdown how the shutdown fight previews the potential struggles ahead for Congressional Republicans. Finally, Dana reflects on the life and legacy of 10-year-old pediatric cancer advocate Gabriella Miller.
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Interviews with Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty; Republican Rep. Tim Burchett; Democratic Sen. Chris Coons

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down with new Democratic Sen. Andy Kim to discuss becoming the first Korean American elected to the Senate, how he plans to navigate a second Trump presidency, and his concerns over the legacy of January 6. Then, outgoing Republican New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu join Dana to reflect on his time in office and the evolution of the GOP under Donald Trump. Finally, CNN political commentators Scott Jennings, Bakari Sellers, Karen Finney, and Kristen Soltis Anderson join Dana to preview what to expect in Trump’s second term and break down Biden’s legacy as his presidency comes to a close.
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Interviews with Democratic Sen. Andy Kim; Republican Gov. Chris Sununu

On CNN’s State of the Union, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar joins Jake to discuss the certification of Trump’s election win and the legacy of January 6. Then, Republican Sen. Jim Banks joins Jake to discuss how Republicans will get Trump’s agenda through Congress. Next, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly joins Jake to discuss the New Orleans terror attack and Trump’s national security nominees. Finally, Jake sits down with four new members of Congress – Republicans Rep. Brandon Gill and Rep. Riley Moore and Democrats Rep. Yassamin Ansari and Rep. Adam Gray – to discuss they dynamics they’ll have to navigate in the 119th Congress.
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Interviews with Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar; Republican Sen. Jim Banks; Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly; New Members of Congress Rep. Brandon Gill, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Rep. Riley Moore, and Rep. Adam Gray

On this week’s State of the Union, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell joins CNN’s Jake Tapper to discuss the response to the devastating California wildfires. Then, Republican Sen. Katie Britt joins Jake to discuss her immigration bill, as well as concerns over Trump’s nominee for Attorney General. Next, Jake sits down with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to assess the Biden administration’s foreign policy legacy as it prepares to hand the reins to the Trump administration. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Brad Todd, Kate Bedingfield, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and executive director of Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service Mo Elleithee join Jake to discuss the feud between Gov. Gavin Newsom and President-elect Trump amid the California wildfires.
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Interviews with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell; Republican Sen. Katie Britt; National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down with incoming National Security Adviser Michael Waltz to discuss the ceasefire in Gaza and the future of TikTok in the United States. Then, Dana discusses Trump’s plans to take aggressive immigration action as soon as he takes office. Next, former Ambassador and Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel joins Dana to discuss the global challenges facing the new administration and how Democrats should confront Trump in his second term. After, the families of Israeli-American hostages Edan Alexander and Omer Neutra join Dana to reflect on the start of the ceasefire in Gaza and their hopes for an end to the war. Finally, Republican strategist Erin Perinne, CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers, and CNN Senior Political Commentators David Urban and David Axelrod join Dana to discuss the road ahead for Democrats as Trump prepares to take office.
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Interviews with Incoming National Security Adviser Michael Waltz; Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan; Former Ambassador Rahm Emanuel; The families of Israeli-American hostages Edan Alexander and Omer Neutra

On CNN’s State of the Union, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham sits down with Dana to discuss Trump’s controversial decisions to pardon violent January 6 rioters and fire independent inspectors general, as well as Trump’s plans for the future of Gaza. Next, Gov. JB Pritzker joins Dana to react to the Trump administration’s planned immigration raids in Chicago and other cities, as well as his view of how Democrats should approach Trump in his second term. Finally, CNN political commentators Karen Finney, Brad Todd, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and Democratic Rep. Josh Harder join Dana to break down Trump’s headspinning first week as he moves quickly to reshape the federal government.
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Interviews with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham; Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

On CNN's State of the Union, new Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins Jake Tapper to discuss the latest in the investigation into the deadly midair collision in Washington, DC. Jake also challenges Duffy over President Trump's claims that diversity initiatives were to blame for the accident. Then, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine joins Jake to voice his concerns about overcrowding at Reagan National Airport and Trump's handling of the disaster. They also discuss Elon Musk's growing role in the federal government. Finally, Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari, former Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, and political commentators Brad Todd and Bakari Sellers join Jake to break down Trump's new trade war with Mexico and Canada and Democrats' struggle to respond to Trump's actions so far.
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Interviews with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to discuss her recent trip to Guantanamo Bay. Dana presses Noem for specifics on Trump’s plan to house tens of thousands of migrants at Guantanamo, as well as questions over his legal authority to do so. Dana also challenges Noem over Elon Musk accessing American’s personal data, including at DHS. Then, Sen. Cory Booker joins Dana to discuss Democrats’ struggle to respond to Trump and Musk’s sweeping overhaul of government. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Shermichael Singleton, Xochitl Hinojosa, and Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings spar over Musk’s role in government and what it means for Americans.

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Interviews with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; Democratic Senator Cory Booker

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down for an exclusive interview with the man seen as the architect behind President Trump’s scorched-earth effort to upend the federal government, White House Budget Director Russ Vought. Then, House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Dana to detail his party’s plan to counter Trump’s agenda, as well as respond to a new CNN poll showing Americans frustration with the Democratic Party. Next, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy pushes back against Republican messaging around President Trump’s massive spending and tax cut bill. Finally, Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, and CNN Political Commentators Jamal Simmons and Shermichael Singleton weigh in on Elon Musk’s exit from the Trump administration, as well as early 2028 moves by Democrats.
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White House Budget Director Russ Vought, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chris Murphy

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