The NPR Politics Podcast

It was another busy week in politics. We discuss Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the Senate and the latest news in the Michigan Senate primary. Plus, when does a sex scandal cross a line and make a politician too controversial for voters? This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, congressional correspondent Barbara S...

Democrat Graham Platner has announced that he is dropping out of the race to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, following new allegations — which Platner denies — that he raped a woman he once dated. We discuss how the Democratic Party ended up with such a controversial nominee and what comes next in the race for this Senate seat that the party desperately hopes to flip. This episode: senior poli...

While attending a NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump said the ceasefire in Iran is over. We discuss what comes next for the conflict and why the United States hasn’t won a war in at least 25 years. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Sugg...

The U.S. Supreme Court term that ended last week greatly expanded power not just for President Trump but for future presidents, too. It also gave Republicans an advantage in this year’s midterm election. We discuss the biggest cases and look ahead to cases the court plans to hear in the fall. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, Supreme Court and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson...

President Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of the red card and one-game suspension given to U.S. men’s national team star striker Folarin Balogun. Now Balogun can play in Monday’s game against Belgium. We discuss the politics behind FIFA’s unusual decision and how much of a role Trump played. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, sports correspo...

We mark the nation's birthday in the only way we know how. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, and All Things Considered host Scott Detrow. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more...

This weekend, the United States marks its 250th birthday, and what Congress intended to be a nonpartisan, patriotic celebration has instead become — like seemingly everything else — partisan. We discuss how the event became fraught with politics and a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll showing that American pride is also deeply divided along partisan lines. Plus, a special Thursday edition of Can't Let...

Colorado Democrats brought an anti-incumbency streak to their primaries this week. In Colorado's 1st congressional district, 29-year-old Melat Kiros, a democratic socialist, unseated 30-year incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette. In another upset, Sen. Michael Bennet lost his bid to win the nomination for governor. We discuss the anti-incumbent mood shaping this election season and take a look at one of th...

The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that virtually all babies born in the United States are citizens, regardless of their parents' immigration status. The ruling — the last one of the court's term — invalidates an executive order President Trump signed on the first day of his second term in office. We discuss whether this closes the book on Trump's effort to reverse this long-held principle, plus...

The Supreme Court issued rulings in a few major cases Monday, and the results were a mixed bag for President Trump. We discuss how the court expanded the president's power to fire the leaders of independent federal agencies but did not restrict mail-in ballots as Trump wanted. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, Supreme Court & justice corresponden...

Federal courts ruled this week that President Trump has a lot of power over immigration, but not over how elections are run. We discuss the impacts of these rulings. Plus, what we just can't let go of.  This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, voting correspondent Miles Parks and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasso...

Congress overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of buying a home, and President Trump was set to sign it Wednesday. But then Trump announced he won't sign the bill until Congress passes a strict voter ID law. We discuss what to make of Trump's apparent reversal and how it affects Republicans' efforts at retaining control of Congress this November.  This episode: senio...

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani played kingmaker in his state's primary election Tuesday, when three congressional candidates he backed beat Democratic establishment picks. We discuss the mayor's influence, plus the race for a toss-up seat in the New York suburbs and other key results. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Elena Moore, and New York Public...

Super PACs with ties to the artificial intelligence industry are spending millions to influence midterm elections this year. We discuss who is behind the spending and what they stand to gain. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel, and technology correspondent Shannon Bond. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited...

President Trump is angry that Senate Republicans haven't passed the Save America Act, a strict voter ID law that he has made his top legislative priority. And Senate Republicans are frustrated that Trump seems to be undermining their efforts to hold the Republican majority after the midterm election. We discuss the growing tensions and how they’re affecting lawmaking on the Hill. This episode: sen...

The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that extends the existing ceasefire, reopens the Strait of Hormuz, and opens negotiations for a final   peace deal. In this episode from NPR's national security podcast  Sources & Methods,  host Mary Louise Kelly gathers three NPR correspondents who are covering the region – Greg Myre in Tel Aviv, Jane Arraf in Beirut, and Aya Batrawy in Cairo...

NPR reporters observed focus groups of 13 Wisconsin voters who backed former President Biden in 2020 and President Trump in 2024. We discuss what they say about President Trump, the economy, and the potential deal to end the Iran war.  This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was pro...

The results are in from Georgia’s Republican primary runoff contests for Senate and governor, and President Trump is one for two — the Senate candidate he backed won, but his gubernatorial pick did not. We discuss the results, plus how conspiracy theories about the 2020 election are still shaping Georgia politics.  This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler,...

Campaigns are increasingly hoping to win over voters by tapping into digital influencers’ large followings. We discuss what the strategy looks like and whether online followers can be reliably converted into votes. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by...

U.S. and Iranian officials have announced a deal ending the war in Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. We discuss whether the deal is a political victory for President Trump and what it means for the economy. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, business correspondent Camila Domonoske, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs...

President Trump sent a lot of mixed messages on the war in Iran this week, starting with imminent peace on Monday, threatening to take control of Kharg Island on Thursday, followed by more imminent peace and then more threats. We discuss what to make of the back-and-forth. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez,...

More than half the states have had their primary contests for this year’s midterm elections. We discuss some key themes that have emerged. Voters are embracing economic populism and rejecting establishment politicians — except when it comes to President Trump.  This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liass...

President Trump signed a law giving roughly $70 billion to federal immigration enforcement agencies, intended to cover their budgets for three years, with little congressional oversight. We discuss how the move limits Congress’ power and what it could mean for Republicans in the midterms. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and Department of Homelan...

California counts votes very slowly, maybe slower than any other state. This is normal for California, but President Trump and some other Republican leaders are claiming, without evidence, that a delay in getting election results is evidence of fraud. We discuss why California is so slow to count votes and what Trump’s claims could mean for the November midterm elections.  This episode: political...

Democrat Graham Platner is the frontrunner in his party’s primary contest to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, but Platner’s campaign has been dogged by controversy. Unseating longtime incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins will not be easy but is vital to Democrats' hopes of winning control of the Senate. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior political correspondent Tamara...