The Lead CNN

Rapper Afroman emerged victorious in a defamation case filed by police who raided his home in 2022. Afroman tells @jaketapper about how he turned the raid into the album 'Lemon Pound Cake'

American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Sommers met with VP Vance and other Trump Administration officials on Thursday. His takeaway? 'Their focus has to be on getting the Strait open. That's the only way that we're going to provide relief to consumers over time.'

'There was no oath, there were no cameras, the American public was locked out of the room. And it was clear that they were not prepared to answer questions about compliance with the law.' Democrats left the DOJ Epstein briefing early and angry. Rep. Melanie Stansbury explains why.

'I have personally witnessed between these two individuals before in more private settings this same type of angst.' GOP Senator Joni Ernst reacts to the heated confrontation between GOP Senator Rand Paul and GOP Senator Markwayne Mullin during Mullin's confirmation hearing to lead DHS.

'We are pressing for basic guardrails, reasonable guardrails, on this $150B blank check that went directly to Kristi Noem.' Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander joins @jaketapper to respond to the White House offer to reopen the Department of Homeland Security.

What questions should Congress ask AG Bondi under oath? CNN's @eliehonig has a few ideas.

Trump’s handpicked Kennedy Center board approved a two-year closure for renovations - but ex-officio members of the board were not allowed to vote. One of those members, Rep. Joyce Beatty, tells @jaketapper she still stated her opposition during the meeting.

'They don't have money for daycare, childcare, gas, food, and many other things as they've almost went a full month without a full paycheck... The workforce is sick and tired of being political pawns in the middle of these games.' TSA agent Johnny Jones joins @jaketapper to explain the struggles TSA agents are facing as they don't get paid during the partial government shutdown.

Jake Tapper responds to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's complaints about Iran war coverage

'Antisemitism and hate crimes like this have become normalized, and I think we're all just grappling with what that means for security for our religious institutions.' Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan reacts to the synagogue attack in West Bloomfield.

'It's a feeling of being very horrified, intensely sad, and at the same time, intensely grateful. We had a miracle yesterday.' Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny of Temple Israel reacts to the attack on her synagogue in Michigan.

Oil prices surge as Iran warns the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed. @tomforemancnn reports for @TheLeadCNN

'It's time that leaders of both parties stand up and strongly condemn antisemitism and say it will not be accepted in either major political party in the United States.' Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joins @jaketapper after a suspect rammed their car into a Michigan synagogue and school.