Trump, without evidence, claims if a republican ever did what Biden did, they'd be getting "the electric chair"; Trump: I didn't pressure Ukraine to investigate Biden, but it "would have been okay" if I did; Intel chair: "We may have crossed the rubicon" on impeachment; Mitt Romney: Trump's call could be "troubling"; as few republicans condemn Trump's call; Axelrod: Trump call "implicit or explicit extortion in plain sight"; Biden slams Trump for Ukraine call while Warren presses House to act on impeachment; Booker asking supporters to help raise $1.7M to stay in race; Feds: U.S. Soldier discussed bombing major news network, other targets; Thousands stranded around the world as tour company collapses; Trump makes brief, unscheduled stop at U.N. Climate Summit; Former VP Al Gore calls out Trump for lack of action on climate crisis; Gore: Trump is face of climate change denial;

Trump admits he discussed Biden with Ukrainian president; House Dems appear closer to launching impeachment against Trump; New Biden tweet: Trump needs to "release the transcript of the call"; Gore: T

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

News

Former tabloid publisher David Pecker is under oath and on the record revealing just how far Donald Trump went allegedly to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. But, when it comes to whether Trump committed a felony in the process, how damaging was today’s testimony? Plus, what Pecker said went down in the room in the infamous meeting in August of 2015 that could hurt Donald Trump’s case nearly nine years later. 
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Pecker: Trump, Cohen asked me how I could “help the campaign”

The prosecution and defense sparred in opening statements during Donald Trump's hush money scheme. Did Trump violate a gag order? Crisis on college campuses; are Jewish students safe at School? Calls increase for Columbia University's President to resign over handling of antisemitism. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to decide if cities can punish people who are homeless, and a U.S. animation studio's work has been found on a North Korean server.
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The First Witness Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Case

A horrific scene outside of Trump’s New York City courthouse after a man lit himself on fire while inside the courthouse there was a major development in the hush money trial. How long can the prosecution hold out and keep its witness list outside of the hands of Donald Trump and his defense team? Also, in an extraordinary move, some 165 House Democrats came to the aid of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, drawing the ire of hard-line Republicans. 
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Full jury panel selected for Trump trial

The shocking actions that leads to two jurors in the Trump hush money case suddenly being dismissed in an unusual occurrence. Plus, name calling and fresh threats for House Speaker Mike Johnson by hard-right Republicans demanding he keep his hands off the rule which, as of now, allows just one member of Congress to force a vote to remove him as speaker. 
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Judge removes two Trump trial jurors

House Speaker Mike Johnson finds a way to allow votes on aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan but it’s his path forward that has his party in an uproar. Speaker Johnson joins to answer if he needs helps from Democrats. Plus, a brand new filing from the hush money case includes a line of questioning the prosecution may take if Trump takes the stand. 
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Trump admits he discussed Biden with Ukrainian president; House Dems appear closer to launching impeachment against Trump; New Biden tweet: Trump needs to "release the transcript of the call"; Gore: T

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