CNN This Morning

Asked yesterday if he could promise to be independent from the White House, new US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "No." Was it naive to think he would? ... Democrats finalize their 2028 calendar, scheduling racially diverse states first. How does that help the party find its strongest candidate? ... Looking for a deal for Gaza, Trump son-in-law says he's got Hamas on board. But what about Israel?


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When a Russian-born American citizen named Ilya Beloozerov is gunned down by the FBI in 2024, the authorities refuse to say why they’d killed him. CNN’s Isabelle Chapman embarks on a sprawling investigation that takes her from the Mississippi parking lot where he died to Washington, D.C. to unravel the mystery: Why did Ilya abruptly leave his family and his job and head for the border with laptops and cash? Why is there still no official explanation of his death? And maybe most importantly: Was Ilya a spy?
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Will the man accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson plead guilty in court today? And what kind of deal would bring justice in the court of public opinion? ... Gen Z voters want younger candidates, but will it deliver real generational change in the midterms? ... JD Vance says Republicans should blame themselves if socialists win in November. Is the Vice President a little socialist curious? ... And the University of Michigan skips letter grades in the name of mental health. Is this basically a participation trophy?


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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, one of Donald Trump's most loyal soldiers, announces she'll step down at the end of the month ... ICE plans to give agents electric shock gloves ... Backlash against AI surveillance cameras.


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CNN projects moderate David Crowley will defeat Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in the gubernatorial primary. Hong was hoping to ride the progressive wave we've seen in other parts of the country. Was it the "cancel Thanksgiving" socialist thing? Was it all too far left for the Midwest? We discuss in this morning's group chat.


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