The Lead with Jake Tapper

The Lead with Jake Tapper

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.

Episodes

March 12, 2026 103 mins
Iran warns the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed as a tool of pressure against the West amidst the ongoing war. Plus, two attacks on American soil today. One at Old Dominion University that the FBI now says is being investigated as act of terrorism inspired by ISIS. Another attack at a Detroit area synagogue.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Projectiles hit four commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway where global oil traffic has been brought to a standstill by Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The United States has hit ten inactive mine laying boats near the Strait of Hormuz according to President Trump. This as Iran’s chokehold of the straight is becoming more dire by the day.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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President Trump holds a news conference as the war on Iran enters its second week with no clear end in sight. Plus, it seems increasingly probable the United States killed at least 192 students and teachers at an Iranian school.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The United States and Israeli war against Iran has already seen the deaths of at least 1,200 Iranians which includes dozens of grade school girls, 6 U.S. service members, and 10 Israeli citizens. Plus, the DOJ releases FBI interviews related to Trump sex abuse allegations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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President Trump fired Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem after her two heated hearings this week that made him angry, sources say. Plus, updates on the United States war on Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Joint Chiefs of Staff say that the United States will start striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory. It appears that Congress will not stand in the way as the Senate is taking an initial vote to rein in Trump’s Iran war powers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The latest on the war with Iran. How stranded Americans can get out of the Middle East. As Trump pushes ahead in Iran, MAGA backlash grows.  Homeland Secretary Noem defends Minneapolis ICE actions in combative Senate hearing. Voters in AR, NC and TX kick off high-stakes Midterm primaries. Plus, what we learned from the Clinton deposition videos and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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As the United States continues to carry out strikes against Iran, the war appears to be expanding with the United Kingdom confirming that its base in Cyprus was hit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Former President Bill Clinton sat for a closed door deposition with the House Oversight Committee in regard to the panel’s investigation into dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The former president today said he only had a brief acquaintance with Epstein that ended years before his crimes came to light. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The two leaked photos that broke the rules. A Republican congresswoman snapped images during the closed door deposition of Hillary Clinton. Plus, a look at the Pentagon’s ultimatum for the AI company Anthropic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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More botched redactions, a high-profile name stepping back from his job, and depositions with the Clintons set to begin tomorrow. A look at the continuing steady stream of fallout from the release of the Epstein files.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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President Trump heads to the Capitol for his State of the Union address where he is expected to speak on his plans for the economy and for Iran. Plus, an emotional plea in the search for Nancy Guthrie.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Tens of millions of Americans are under storm warnings with some towns getting more than 30 inches of snow. Plus, United States citizens are urged to shelter in place in Mexico after the killing of a cartel kingpin led to widespread violence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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One day after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, police in the United Kingdom say the search of his former home will likely continue until Monday. Plus, the Supreme Court deals a major blow to Trump’s economic agenda.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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New images of former Prince Andrew appear to show him duck from cameras. The journalist who conducted the damning 2019 interview with Andrew about his alleged ties with dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein joins. Plus, more revelations in the Epstein files this time entangling two Harvard University researchers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Les Wexner, the billionaire behind Victoria’s Secret, once named as a secondary unindicted co-conspirator in the Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case with notes that there was limited evidence of his involvement, testified today in a congressional deposition.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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New tributes for civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, a two time presidential candidate who paved the way for so many progressives and African Americans who came after him. Plus, DNA on a glove found two miles from the home of Nancy Guthrie does not match anyone in the FBI’s criminal database.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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More members of the royal family are wrapped up in the Epstein files. Plus, the glove that could give investigators a new break into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. Also, tracing the toxin that was used to kill Alexei Navalny, one of Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Independent journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon plead not guilty this afternoon to federal charges filed after he live streamed a demonstration inside a church in Minnesota last month. Plus, a look at Kathy Ruemmler’s resignation from Goldman Sachs amid fallout from the Justice Department’s release of millions of pages of Jeffrey Epstein documents.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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