CNN Inside Politics: Dems Face Tough Choices as they Map Out 2026 Senate Fight

First: In a stunning development, the FBI director says agents arrested a Wisconsin judge, accusing her of aiding and abetting a migrant wanted by ICE to escape from her courthouse.  Plus: President Trump says Russia can keep Crimea as part of a peace deal, and says he's the only one who can negotiate it. Will he sell out America's allies in Kyiv?  And: New CNN reporting reveals how Elon Musk's DOGE team is building a massive government database to drive its deportation machine, helped by a secretive Silicon Valley company founded by a longtime Musk ally.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Next week marks 100 days since President Trump was sworn in for his second term. CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins and Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny share their behind-the-scenes insights from the last few months and explain why attitudes at the White House have recently shifted. 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: That was President Trump's message to Russia's Vladimir Putin this morning. It was a rare rebuke after Russia launched a new wave of deadly strikes on Kyiv hours after Trump claimed Putin was ready to make a deal. Is there still a pathway to peace?  Plus: President Trump seems to have reversed course yet again on the trade war he launched with China.  And: A Trump-appointed federal judge orders a second man deported to El Salvador to be returned to the US.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Investors think President Trump may be backing down on his trade war with China. So does Beijing. You won't believe what's trending on Chinese social media today.  Plus: How much longer will the GOP stand by embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth? Dana speaks with the top Republican on the Senate armed services committee.  And: Robert Kennedy Jr. blames synthetic dyes in the food supply for a host of chronic childhood illnesses. Now, the FDA says it will work with food companies to phase out those ingredients. The new FDA commissioner and a leader in the so-called "MAHA" (Make America Healthy Again) movement joins Dana to discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A defiant Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, under siege after another Signal chat is revealed, says he's not going anywhere. The White House concurs, at least for now.   Plus: There are fresh warning signs about the Trump trade war sparking a global recession, as the value of the dollar dies and investors across the world question the stability of American markets.  And: We get new details from the Vatican about the Pope's final hours, as dozens of Cardinals make their way to Rome to begin the process of choosing Francis's successor.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins we hear the echo of the bells in Saint Peter's Square, sounding a final note on the remarkable life of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who passed away just hours after tending to his flock on Easter. Our extensive coverage of his life and legacy - and what comes next - begins with CNN's Ben Wedeman in Vatican City.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Face off. The Supreme Court deals a blow to Trump as he tries to reshape the narrative. But as he digs in, is the tide turning? Plus, is Trump about to take his most dramatic step yet to gut American diplomacy? And: Plan of attack. As progressives capitalize on anti-Trump anger, we go one on one with Democratic Congressman Jason Crow on his plan to reach Trump voters. And: Sentencing. This week, George Santos faces years in prison, but a pardon from Trump be on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen joins Dana Bash to discuss his trip to El Salvador to meet with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Then, Dana presses House GOP Whip Rep. Tom Emmer on Trump’s standoff with the courts over his immigration policies. After, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar tells Dana that she believes the US is “getting closer and closer to a constitutional crisis.” Finally, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, former Trump White House Communications Director Mike Dubke, Republican strategist Lance Trover, and Harris Campaign Senior Adviser Adrienne Elrod join Dana to discuss Trump’s escalating campaign of retribution against his perceived political opponents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A Democratic senator meets face-to-face with the man mistakenly deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador. But what happens to Kilmar Abrego Garcia now? The Trump Administration has made it clear he's "not coming back" to the US.  Plus: Marco Rubio says the US may need to "move on" from Ukrainian-Russian peace talks if there's no progress in the coming days, leaving people across the globe wondering if America is about to abandon a key ally.  And: The Trump Administration is taking on the Associated Press in a court case with far-reaching consequences. Sam Donaldson, who set the standard for tough questions in the White House, joins the show to discuss.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Judicial showdowns over a pair of major deportation-related cases have ratcheted up tensions between Trump and the courts this week. University of Michigan law professor, author and podcast host Leah Litman weighs in on whether these and other clashes between Trump and the judiciary have pushed the country into a constitutional crisis. 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