As today's Inside Politics begins, top European leaders are about to arrive in Washington for a pivotal meeting with President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. More than three years after Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher for that sovereign democracy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jake Tapper steers the Inside Politics ship today live from Anchorage, where President Trump is scheduled to touch down for his historic summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump will try to end the Russia-Ukraine war he vowed to end within the first 24 hours of his second term. Today will be their very first face- to-face meeting in more than six years, and potentially the most consequential.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former national intelligence officer and Russia expert Angela Stent breaks down what President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin want out of their summit—and why it's about more than Ukraine. Plus, she shares why she’s unsure whether Trump will be able to parse Putin’s true intentions after the meeting.  This episode was Produced by Emily Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The White House and the Kremlin are gearing up for what could be a defining moment in global diplomacy, as both President Trump and Putin get a head start on tomorrow's psychological chess with new public comments this morning.  Plus: President Trump is ramping up his federal police takeover of Washington DC, putting more national guardsmen on duty and expanding the mission to round the clock enforcement.  And: Two political titans of the Obama years join us for a strategy session on the question plaguing their party: What is the Democrat's path back to power?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We begin today's show during another lengthy, wide-ranging press conference by President Trump, this one coming after he announced the latest Kennedy Center honorees and revealed that he will host the awards. Our in-depth analysis of his comments begins with CNN's Kristen Holmes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump says his unprecedented takeover of the Washington, DC police could extend to other cities across the country. But is the new White House push. about public protection or political posturing? Or maybe both?  Plus: The Texas House just failed to meet a quorum for the fifth time in a row as the Republican governor warns redistricting is inevitable.  And: The president picks a MAGA loyalist to run the nation's most important economic statistics agency, leaving Wall Street questioning whether crucial data can still be taken at face value.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show gets underway, we are following breaking news regarding a remarkable moment in US history. President Trump has just announced plans to take over law enforcement in the District of Columbia by putting Washington DC police under federal control and deploying nearly 1,000 national guard troops to the capital's streets.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Texas Democrats who left the state in protest face a deadline to get back to the capital. If they don't the Texas attorney general says he'll seek a court order to fire them.  Plus: She prosecuted President Trump and now his Justice Department may prosecute her. The DOJ subpoenas Letitia James, looking for information about her case against the Trump Organization.  And: We introduce you to the biggest company you may never have heard of. It's worth more than Disney, Mcdonald's or Bank of America. And it just signed a $10 billion contract with the Pentagon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, along with dozens of his Democratic colleagues, captured the nation’s attention this week when they fled their state to try to block a Republican gerrymandering effort. He shares why they walked out, what he thinks it can accomplish and how his faith informs his approach to politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The US puts a patchwork of tariffs on nearly every major trading partner. The markets are shrugging. But will your wallet be shrinking?  Plus: Will GOP attempts to gain seats in the House through redistricting spread to other Republican-led states?  And: John King is back on the road in an Arizona heat wave to take the temperature on a potential midterm flashpoint.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, we're following breaking news out of Georgia, where the US Army's Fort Stewart is in lockdown for an active shooter situation. CNN's Isabel Rosales begins our coverage from Atlanta.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is desperate to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein saga engulfing his administration. But even his own party is helping to keep it front and center. We have breaking news on the House Republican push for answers.  Plus: The political firestorm in Texas is exploding across the country as Democrats declare war on the GOP push to deliver the president more seats in Congress ahead of the midterm elections. But what's their actual plan?  And: Bernie Sanders, Elon Musk, and the Pope ... we break down a new poll showing where they land on the popularity charts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Texas Democrats have fled the state in a last-ditch effort to block a Republican gerrymander. But is this a strategy or a stunt? Plus: The White House is trying to justify President Trump's decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics because he did not like Friday's jobs report. But contrary to what they say, numbers don't lie.  And: We have brand new CNN reporting on far-right activist Laura Loomer's role playing the administration's "loyalty enforcer" and who she wants to get fired next.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s ability to fight climate change by rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases. Next, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis joins Kasie to discuss tariffs and his party’s struggle to counter Trump across the board. Finally, Bernie Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir and CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Brad Todd, and Jonah Goldberg join Kasie to break down Kamala Harris’ return to the spotlight as Democrats weigh who can win in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Popping off. An emboldened President Trump reshuffles the global economy. What's his next target? Plus: Democratic dreams. What's giving the party hope as it tries to retake power? And how far will they go to block a takeover in Texas? I go one on one with Senator Cory Booker who says his fellow lawmakers need to do more. And: Camp democracy. As Trump's cuts mount, fired federal workers bring their kids to Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dan Balz is something of a legend in Washington media. He retired this week from full-time reporting after 47 years at the Washington Post. He shares his insights on the first six months of this second Trump administration and gives some of his best advice for political reporters in an increasingly competitive, rapid-fire industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: A dismal jobs report delivers a gut punch to the White House as it tries to sell the president's new sweeping tariffs. We'll bring you the latest from Wall Street as the double whammy shakes investor confidence.  Plus: Will the real Democratic leader please stand up? Kamala Harris says she is not going back in the system, but does not name a single person leading her party. Is it a political strategy or a sign of growing Democratic chaos?  And: It's one of the marquee matchups of the year, but President Trump still has not endorsed the Republican nominee for Virginia's next governor. Why not? The candidate herself is Ranu's guest.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US reaches a trade deal with Mexico, while dozens of other countries have just 12 hours left to reach an agreement with the Trump Administration or face steep tariff hikes. Will the president's gamble make the US rich, as he claims, or leave American consumers paying the price.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Senate Democrats have a new strategy to keep the Jeffrey Epstein scandal front and center. But will a century-old law actually force the DOJ to release the files?  Plus: We're getting the first look at the Texas GOP's push to redraw the congressional map in their favor. How will this change the midterm math?  And: Wolf speaks with a 26-year-old hoping to unseat a 78-year-old Capitol Hill veteran about the push to infuse fresh energy into their struggling party.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump says he's headed back home to "put out fires all over the world." But will the seemingly never-ending Jeffrey Epstein scandal be the flame that defies all containment?  Plus: According to New York City's mayor, the gunman who opened fire in a busy Manhattan office building had a suicide note expressing grievances with the NFL. We get the latest New York Governor Kathy Hochul.  And: Joe Rogan endorses Democrat James Talarico in ruby-red Texas. Is he a living oxymoron or the future of his party? He joins the show.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices