Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

As the NATO summit is underway, geopolitical questions center on Iran and Ukraine, as well as other conflict zones.  On Today's Show: Drew Hinshaw , senior reporter at The Wall Street Journal , and Joe Parkinson , chief, world enterprise team at The Wall Street Journal , share their reporting on the changing relationship between Europe and the USA under President Trump, especially in light of comp...

As the midterm elections loom, a look at some key battlegrounds and headlines that could have an impact on the results in November.  On Today's Show: Astead Herndon , host and editorial director at Vox, talks about the state of the midterm elections, including the fallout in Maine after an ex-girlfriend accused Democratic candidate for Senate Graham Platner of rape, a tight senate race in Michigan...

With Democratic Socialist candidates finding successes in elections around the country, why has the far-left party's agenda stopped emphasizing a former tentpole issue? On Today's Show: Robinson Meyer , founding executive editor of Heatmap talks about the DSA's evolving relationship to the Green New Deal and climate policy in general, as its members keep winning elections in big cities. Hosted by...

Now that the 250th birthday party is over, what are your feelings about country? On Today's Show: USA Today Washington bureau chief  Susan Page , author of The Queen and Her Presidents (HarperCollins, 2026), discusses the America 250 speeches and celebrations, as listeners share how they are feeling about the country today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informat...

A look at President Trump's recent financial disclosure paperwork reveals a number of lucrative streams of income.  On Today's Show: David Uberti , a reporter covering the intersection of financial markets and the economy for The Wall Street Journal, discusses those financial disclosures, including gains from his crypto businesses, and more.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...

Ahead of this weekend's semiquincentennial July 4th celebrations, some historians bring their insights on the Revolutionary era in New York.  On Today's Show: Thomas Wermuth , co-founder and director of the Hudson River Valley Institute and chair of Hudson River Valley History at Marist University, and Iris De Rode , a Dutch historian specializing in the American Revolution, share some of the unto...

Today marked the final day in session for the Supreme Court, which ruled on a number of key, and in some cases, divisive issues. On Today's Show: Emily Bazelon , staff writer for The New York Times Magazine , co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, senior research scholar in law and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration  (Random Ho...

With Congress back in session, how are lawmakers and their political parties squaring up their agendas ahead of the November elections? On Today's Show: Nicholas Wu , congressional reporter at Semafor, talks about the latest from Capitol Hill, including the president's push for the SAVE Act and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection...

On today's show: Lisa Kashinsky , national political reporter at POLITICO, talks about the Democratic Party's infighting and its broader implications for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race as establishment Democrats sweat over some key primary election wins by progressives in New York. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection...

One of the key economic levers the government can manipulate are in pursuit of anti-trust policy. On Today's Show: Alvaro Bedoya , senior advisor at the American Economic Liberties Project and former FTC commissioner, offers his opinion on how the Paramount - Warner Brothers Discovery mega merger will affect everyday people and their jobs, and more on what he calls the pervasiveness of monopolies...

Politics often involves matters of conscience, especially on consequential issues like gun violence, voter suppression and climate change. On Today's Show: U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock  (D GA), senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and the author of  (Penguin Press, 2026) draws on the book of Isaiah to offer a sermon on the moral crises facing America, and how to address them spi...

An agreement has been reached between the United States and Iran to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On Today's Show: David Sanger , White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times and the author of  New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West  (Crown, 2024), discusses the details of the deal.   Hosted by Simp...

On July 1, there will be changes to the student loan repayment system that change the situation for new and old borrowers alike. On Today's Show: Cory Turner , NPR education correspondent and senior editor, shares what's changing, and how those impacted can navigate the changes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

As the country gears up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the plans that President Trump has in mind are raising eyebrows. On Today's Show: Michael Scherer , staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about his reporting on the conflicts over the 250th anniversary celebration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our col...

As top athletes from around the world gather for the World Cup, many are representing nations embroiled in military conflict.  On Today's Show: Franklin Foer, staff writer at The Atlantic  and the author of How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization  (Harper Perennial, new edition 2026), talks about the new edition of his book and looks ahead to the start of World Cup. Host...

As trust in science and institutions has eroded, the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is teaching scientists how to better communicate their work to lay people.  On Today's Show: Laura Lindenfeld , PhD, executive director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and professor of communication at Stony Brook University, explains how improv can help bridge the science gap, and how...

With basketball fresh on everyone's mind, someone with his feet in both the sports world, and the political world, discusses.  On Today's Show: Bill Bradley , two-time NBA champion with the Knicks and former U.S. senator (D NJ), host of American Voices on Sirius XM and featured in the autobiographical documentary "Rolling Along: Bill Bradley" talks about this year's NBA finals, his take on nationa...

Speeches have an important history in the United States, not only for their historical impact, but for their role in shaping a national identity. On Today's Show: Ben Rhodes , contributor to MS NOW, the co-chair of National Security Action and an advisor to former president Barack Obama and the author of All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches  (Random House, 2026),...

It's been a consequential week in D.C., as some issues, like war powers, have driven a wedge between President Trump and members of Congress, including some Republicans. On Today's Show: Elana Schor , senior Washington editor at Semafor, talks about the news out of Washington this week, including how some Republican senators are standing up to President Trump on war powers, the $1.8 billion dollar...

As the Trump administration continues to use the US military for geopolitical leverage, a look at the work of boots-on-the-ground service members. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ahead of the midterms, a look at some key races. On Today's Show: David Remnick , editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, talks about the latest national political news, including the latest regarding the midterm elections, the Democratic Party's identity crisis and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection...

The far-left politics of NYC's new(ish) mayor have drawn national attention, and raised questions about the future of Democratic politics. On Today's Show: New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani  takes questions from listeners and talks about this week's news in the city, and other issues important to New Yorkers, including childcare, trans healthcare and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company...

The Trump administration announced that those seeking green cards would need to apply from their home countries, not within the U.S. as many had been able to do.  On Today's Show: Allan Wernick , legal advisor to CUNY Citizenship Now!, CUNY's free immigration law service program, offers the latest guidance on who will be affected by the change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads...

A recent Supreme Court decision weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. On Today's Show: Daniel Squadron , co-founder of The States Project, former New York State senator and author of the forthcoming book The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union (Zando, 2026), talks about the interplay between state legislatures and the redistricting fights happening now. Hosted by Simpleca...

On our radio show, we're kicking off a series of forums for candidates running for Congress in consequential, local races. On Today's Show: Dan Goldman , US representative (D, NY-10), and Brad Lander , former NYC comptroller and former mayoral candidate, discuss key issues as they campaign in the June primary election to be the Democratic nominee for Congress for New York's 10th congressional dist...