CNN Political Briefing: How Democrats Can Tell a New Story

First: Some Republicans are getting an earful from their constituents as thousands of federal workers are laid of all over the country. There are signs the White House may be rethinking some of its planned cuts.  Plus: Members of the Trump Administration are telling America's European allies that the official US stance on the war in Ukraine is to not blame it on "Russian aggression."  And: We explore the battle of the billionaires, as Elon Musk and George Soros invest millions of dollars in a state supreme court race in Wisconsin. Why do they care?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: It's been one month since Donald Trump's inauguration, and since then we've seen a firehose of executive orders and mass firings, not to mention what could be the start of a reordering of global alliances. We have a brand new CNN poll of what voters think so far.  Plus: Mitch McConnell, one of the Senate's most historic figures, says he will not run for reelection.  And: Israeli President Isaac Herzog joins the show.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump ramps up his criticism of his Ukrainian counterpart, falsely blaming Volodymyr Zelensky for starting the war, one in which Russia invaded his country three years ago.  Plus: Trump and Elon Musk sit down for a fawning interview on Fox. What did we learn from that lovefest  And: Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove is in New York today to ask a court to let him drop corruption charges against Mayor Eric Adams.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Details about the just-concluded, high-level talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterparts. Can they end the war against Ukraine without giving Vladimir Putin everything he wants? Plus: We are standing by for a news conference in Toronto about yesterday's plane crash where a jet flipped over. Will President Trump and Elon Musk think twice about the cuts they've already ordered at the FAA?  And: It's yet another day of upheaval for the Justice Department as a top prosecutor is out. CNN has brand new reporting on how she resigned after being told to investigate the Biden administration.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The Trump administration wants the Supreme Court to weigh in on the president's efforts to expand executive power in unprecedented ways, as he takes new steps to dismantle key parts of the government he now runs.  Plus: What do voters who flipped from Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024 think of the president's first weeks in office? Hear the results of a fascinating focus group.    And: A defiant Eric Adams says he will not resign as New York City mayor despite calls from his fellow Democrats to do exactly that.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump and top administration officials are blaming the war in Ukraine on Joe Biden and NATO, rather than the country that actually launched an unprovoked invasion of its neighbor. It's causing fear across the western world that the US is on the brink of abandoning Ukraine.   Plus: We're following the breaking news on the upheaval at the Department of Justice and the mind-boggling accusations about prioritizing politics over the rule of law.  And: Broadway and Hollywood star Josh Gad joins us for a much-needed palate cleanser.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With President Trump back in office, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY) has been thinking a lot about how his party can better meet Americans in this populist moment. He joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to discuss where he thinks Democrats have missed the mark with their messaging and how the party can recast the “heroes” and “villains” in America’s story. Plus, what resonated with the voters in his battleground district who cast ballots for both him and Trump. Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The president and his billionaire benefactor are barreling ahead with their plan to slash the federal workforce, which could include eliminating entire agencies.  Plus: The Senate just confirmed RFK Jr. as secretary of health and human services. It's a tough pill to swallow for many Democrats, but not those who want to overhaul America's food and pharmaceutical industries.  And: We bring you a special report on the "make America wealthy again" movement featuring two people who have covered Elon Musk's entire career.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as the director of national intelligence, which begs the question: What happened to those Republicans concerned about her lack of experience and apparent support of US adversaries?  Plus: An official tells CNN that Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke by phone this morning, just hours after an American teacher was released from a Russian prison.  And: Candidate Trump promised to bring down costs on day one. But the president is finding out very quickly that it's not so easy.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: As the show begins, Donald Trump is about to meet inside the Oval Office with the King of Jordan, trying to convince that key US ally to open up his country to a massive influx of Palestinian refugees - who, by the way, don't want to go anywhere.  Plus: The president publicly dares to defy the co-equal judicial branch of government as multiple federal judges push pause on his plans to dismantle the federal government.  And: The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power of the purse. So why do many Republicans appear willing to hand it over to the richest man in the world?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices