CNN Inside Politics

A top aide to President Biden says what Vladimir Putin is doing is "the beginning of an invasion. An invasion is an invasion and that is what is underway. Russia has been invading Ukraine since 2014. I don't know how much more clear I can be." Those words have huge international significance, given the president's promise of "swift and severe sanctions" should Russia invade.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Biden says he'll meet with Vladimir Putin but only if the Russian leader doesn't invade Ukraine. The problem: American intelligence says Putin's already ordered his commanders to do exactly that. Plus, a warning from three top Democratic campaign gurus: a midterm shellacking is coming if the White House doesn't stop celebrating and start listening. And, a weekend case study in how Washington Republicans navigate a big divide: the choice between Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This morning in Munich, Vice President Harris warned there is a "real possibility" of war in Europe. In Washington, President Biden is set to meet with his National Security Council days after declaring Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling on Western nations to do more to help defend his country and is asking for immediate sanctions on Russia.

Plus, a long simmering feud between top Republicans came to a head this week as House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy endorsed Rep. Liz Cheney's primary challenger.

And a new CNN original series reveals in a secret recording how President Johnson was prepared to achieve voting rights for Black Americans if the Voting Rights Act failed.

On today’s panel: Vivian Salama of the Wall Street Journal, Hans Nichols of Axios, Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report, CNN’s Melanie Zanona, Presidential historian Mark Updegrove.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An emotional judge Regina Chu sentenced former Minnesota police officer Kim Potter to two years in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright. Potter has said she mistakenly drew her gun instead of her Taser when she fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop in April 2021. Chu strayed far from the sentencing guidelines, handing down a significantly less harsh sentence than the 15-year maximum Wright's family had asked for.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and Defense Secretary Austin are all sounding red alert today. Their message? That Vladimir Putin is not telling the truth about what Russia is up to, and that despite his claim of pulling back troops, all indications are that he's prepared to attack Ukraine. CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward is on a tour with the Ukrainian military and joins us live.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia says they're pulling back troops from the Ukrainian border, but the United States and allies aren't buying it. Plus, Covid backlash at the ballot box as San Francisco voters recall three school board members in a revolt fueled by pandemic decisions to keep kids home. And, the January 6 committee homes in on Donald Trump's plan to steal the election by using fake electors.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amid a flurry of activity -- troops, helicopters and machinery all moving around Ukraine in the past 24 hours -- Russia claims some of its forces are returning to base, and Vladimir Putin says he's willing to talk. But a source tells CNN a Russian attack -- this week -- is more likely than not. Plus, Donald Trump's accounting firm cuts ties with the former president, saying it can no longer vouch for a decades' worth of financial statements. And, Sandy Hook families win a $73 million settlement against a gun manufacturer. The victims now have access to thousands of internal company documents they hope could help other families in the future.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the world waits for Vladimir Putin's next move, we explore what US officials say they think is the Russian president's plan for war: a shock and awe campaign from the air followed by an on-the-ground onslaught that ends with Kyiv surrounded. Plus, new details on Mitch McConnell's midterm recruitment strategy: His plan to retake power in Washington counts on keeping the "goofballs" who repeat Donald Trump's lies off the ballot. And, a Parkland father climbs a crane near the White House to send a message to President Biden about gun violence ... and winds up in handcuffs. 

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden warned Russia's Vladimir Putin in a phone call Saturday the cost of an attack on Ukraine would be "swift and severe." That, as more than 100,000 Russian troops stand ready on three sides of Ukraine. The US evacuated most of its embassy on Saturday and several countries urged its citizens to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. Still, Ukrainian President Zelensky is calling for calm and insists the threat remains unchanged.

Plus, a brand new CNN poll spells trouble for Biden and Democrats this November as inflation tops voters' concerns.

And why some Democratic governors are flipping the script on Covid precautions and ending mask mandates.

On today’s panel: Margaret Talev of Axios, Zolan Kanno-Youngs of the New York Times, Jonathan Martin of the New York Times, CNN’s Lauren Fox, Susan Glasser of the New Yorker.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former president removed boxes of records from the White House -- some clearly marked "classified" -- tried tearing documents to shreds and may have flushed some down the toilet. Were those actions illegal? Plus, President Biden cautions "things could go crazy quickly" in Ukraine. And, a big week of Covid change for millions of Americans.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices