Politically Sound

President Biden promised to deliver solutions to America’s centuries-old struggle for racial equity. But many are asking: can he achieve real change? As Black History Month draws to a close, Nia-Malika Henderson is joined by White House Senior Adviser Cedric Richmond to discuss the policies, pitfalls, and promises of the Biden administration’s racial equity agenda. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Decades of failed compromise and stalled deals in Washington have led to a broken immigration system with a tremendous human cost. With roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the US, and more in search of a better life, immigration is one of the biggest policy challenges facing the country today. In this episode, David Chalian speaks with Theresa Cardinal Brown, a leading expert on immigration policy, about the Biden administration’s immigration actions so far and the...

As the Biden administrations aims to restore America’s global standing, managing the relationship with China will likely be their biggest challenge, but one that could also present new opportunities. In this episode, Nia Malika-Henderson speaks with a leading expert on Chinese policy, Dr. Elizabeth Economy, to break down how and why President Biden’s foreign policy and his approach to China differ from former President Trump’s, and what lies ahead for US-China relations under this new...

The promise of unity and a return to normalcy were at the heart of President Biden’s pitch to the American people. But this push for unity is facing early tests, from passage of a Covid relief bill to the impeachment trial of former President Trump. This week, David Chalian and Nia Malika-Henderson are joined by former Senator Doug Jones to discuss the need for unity, as part of our series looking at the biggest policy goals and challenges facing the administration in its first 100 days. To...

President Biden has an ambitious agenda for his first 100 days in office and much of his success rides on getting a handle on the pandemic. In this episode, David Chalian digs deep on the implications of the Covid crisis with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, host of CNN’s Coronavirus Fact vs. Fiction podcast, as part of our series looking at the biggest policy goals and challenges facing the administration in its first 100 days. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Normalcy returns to Washington as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are sworn into office. But is a smooth inauguration a sign of things to come or is there a bumpy road ahead? In this episode, David Chalian and Nia Malika-Henderson are joined by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer to walk through the momentous inauguration and the early challenges facing the Biden administration. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

The word “unprecedented” gets thrown around a lot these days. But how else do you describe a country still reeling from an attack on the Capitol building and impeaching the President for a second time while it prepares for an inauguration? In this episode, David Chalian and Nia Malika-Henderson are joined by CNN Washington Correspondent Ryan Nobles to explain what comes next - now that the President is impeached - what it means for the country, the Republican party, and President-elect...

The siege of the US Capitol by a Trump-supporting mob was four years in the making and completely preventable – yet still shocked the nation. In this episode, David Chalian and Nia-Malika Henderson are joined by CNN Reporter Donie O’Sullivan who was at the Capitol speaking to rioters on Wednesday, to discuss how the President instigated the violence, the depths of the misinformation his supporters believe, and what this means for the future of American politics. To learn more about how CNN...

Coronavirus dominated every aspect of life in 2020 including reshaping the political landscape. In this episode, David Chalian and Nia-Malika Henderson discuss how the pandemic changed politics this year and how it will impact Joe Biden's presidency. Plus, CNN Correspondent Stephanie Elam takes you inside the vaccine trial she’s participating in and tells you how one of Biden’s biggest challenges will be convincing vulnerable communities to take the vaccine. To learn more about how CNN...

Despite the President’s tantrums, President-elect Joe Biden’s transition marches on. In this episode, Nia-Malika Henderson is joined by former Obama Adviser and the host of CNN’s The Axe Files podcast, David Axelrod, to explain the successes so far and challenges remaining for Biden’s transition. Plus, CNN Washington Correspondent Ryan Nobles joins from the campaign trail in Georgia to talk about how the state’s key Senate runoff races are the biggest question marks hanging over the Biden...

For months, Congress has failed the American people. Millions are out of work and going hungry, and many of the relief programs they rely on will expire at the end of the year. In this episode, Dana Bash and Abby Phillip discuss the disgraceful failure of government, the politics at play in passing more economic stimulus, and the momentum growing to get a deal as Congress stares down a deadline. Plus, CNN Chief Business Correspondent Christine Romans lays out how DC politics and Wall Street...

We knew America was divided ... but this election has shown us just how deep that division runs. In this episode, David Chalian and Dana Bash discuss the intensifying political divide in America, what it means for President-elect Biden, and whether the nation can be stitched back together at all. Plus, Brian Stelter explains how election disinformation is altering the right-wing media landscape and what that means for the country going forward. To learn more about how CNN protects listener...

President Trump is trying to block the transition of power and his refusal to accept the election results poses a danger to the country. In this week's episode, Nia-Malika Henderson and David Chalian discuss the impact of an undermined presidential transition and the challenges President-elect Biden will face as he begins to lead the nation. Plus, top Republican election lawyer and CNN contributor Benjamin Ginsberg joins to discuss Trump’s baseless legal battle. To learn more about how CNN...

CNN can project that Democratic candidate Joe Biden has been elected the 46th President of the United States, defeating Republican incumbent Donald Trump. His running mate, Kamala Harris, has become the first woman and first person of color to be elected vice president. David Chalian walks you through their path to the White House and what challenges lie ahead. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Election night has stretched into election week, so Politically Sound is a little different. In this mini-episode, David Chalian explains what the possible paths to 270 electoral votes look like for each candidate. With four battleground states have yet to be called, Joe Biden is on the brink of victory. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

This isn't your typical episode of Politically Sound... but this hasn't been your typical election. In this mini-episode, Nia Malika Henderson gives you an update on where the things stand in the race for the Presidency as focus turns to razor thin margins in a few key states. Tune in tomorrow for a more in-depth episode! To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

November 3rd isn’t going to be like any election night you’ve ever seen. In this week's episode, Nia-Malika Henderson and David Chalian set your expectations for the biggest night in politics and walk you through what to watch for as the results come in. Plus, have you ever wondered what happens to your ballot after it's cast? Kristen Holmes takes us through the life of a ballot in the key swing county of Erie, Pennsylvania. Let us know what you think of the show: cnn.com/podsurvey To learn...

It will take at least 270 electoral votes for a presidential candidate to win the election, and the race is almost certain to come down to a handful of battleground states. In this week's episode, Nia-Malika Henderson and David Chalian map out the different paths to 270 for both President Trump and Vice President Biden. Plus, CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan explains how disinformation campaigns have evolved since 2016. Let us know what you think of the show: cnn.com/podsurvey To learn more about how...

The next president isn't all that will be on the ticket - and on the line - on November 3rd. In this week's episode, Nia-Malika Henderson and David Chalian give the state of play of "down-ballot" races and dig deep on the battle for control of the House and Senate. Plus, Fredreka Schouten, who covers money in politics, takes you inside Democratic candidates' mammoth fundraising hauls and what's fueling their windfall. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

The health of the President has put the fight over health care front and center during this election. One week after announcing his coronavirus diagnosis, President Trump is promising Americans the same world class care he received while pushing to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. In this week's episode, Nia-Malika Henderson and David Chalian examine how coronavirus pandemic places added importance on health care in the 2020 election. Plus, Dr. Chris T. Pernell’s story of losing her...