The NPR Politics Podcast

When running for office, Donald Trump suggested that he "alone could fix" the ills befalling the United States. In his administration's first 100 days, he and his allies have moved quickly to expand the powers of the presidency accordingly. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Monta...

On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump decried "gender ideology," said the military was becoming too "woke," and that DEI programs across the federal government should be ended. As president, his executive actions & policies have mirrored his campaign promises in attempting to reshape culture in the United States during his administration's first 100 days. This episode: senior White House c...

The Heritage Foundation's "blueprint" for a new Republican administration got a lot of attention during the 2024 presidential campaign. While candidate Donald Trump said he "had never read" the document, President Trump has incorporated many of its policies, and authors, into his administration's first 100 days. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent...

As the White House continued to adjust its tariff policies, President Trump lashed out against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, saying his "termination cannot come fast enough." Trump thinks the Fed should be more aggressive in lowering interest rates. Then, a look at why Harvard University is fighting against efforts to have billions of dollars in federal funding rescinded. And, a star-studde...

A federal judge ruled there is "probable cause" to find the Trump administration in contempt for violating an order last month to pause some deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. We discuss what happens next, as well as a new directive on how immigration court proceedings can be held. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and White Hou...

The entity known as DOGE has been used as part of the Trump administration's efforts to radically reshape the federal government. But a whistleblower alleges DOGE may have improperly accessed data at the National Labor Relations Board, a regulatory body that investigates and adjudicates complaints about unfair labor practices. The agency has opened investigations into unfair labor practices at DOG...

In an Oval Office meeting Monday with El Salvador's president, President Trump said Kilmar Abrego Garcia would not come back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court decision ordering the Trump administration to "facilitate" his return. We look at how El Salvador became the destination for some of those deported from the U.S., and what's next in Abrego Garcia's case. This episode: political correspond...

Much of the activism seen on college campuses last year in protest of Israel's war in Gaza is now under increased scrutiny as part of a policy that the Trump administration says is aimed at eliminating antisemitism, particularly on American campuses. The effort has led to the targeting of non-citizen students over their past pro-Palestinian activism, resulting in students losing visas and several...

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration must "facilitate" the return of a man it mistakenly deported to El Salvador. How is the White House responding, and what happens next? Then, is the entity known as DOGE using Social Security information it isn't meant to be able to access? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior...

After days of market turmoil, President Trump walked back some tariffs on some countries, but kept a near universal 10 percent tariff in place and increased tariffs on goods from China. What's behind the president's decision, and will markets continue to stomach such uncertainty? This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñez, and finance correspondent Maria Aspan. The pod...

Earlier this week, President Trump threatened to make the steep tariffs on China even steeper if China did not withdraw its retaliatory measures. Today, Trump kept his promise by levying a 104% tariff on Chinese goods that he then raised to 125% later in the day. This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Tamara Keith and international correspondent John Ruwitch. The podcast is produ...

Dozens of American universities are under investigation by the Trump administration for use of DEI initiatives and alleged anti-Semitism on campuses. The message is clear: comply with federal executive orders and policy changes or lose federal funding. How are educational leaders responding? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, correspondent Elissa Nadworny, and senior national pol...

An NPR exclusive: Deportation proceedings are underway for Jose Barco, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Barco came to the U.S. as a child, enlisted as a teenager, and, after his discharge, was convicted of a felony. Immediately after being paroled in January, he was remanded to ICE custody, where he has remained since. Read more. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khal...

The tariff plan rolled out by President Trump this week threatens to upend the global economic system. We look at the potential impacts. Then, widespread cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services threaten the agency's ability to do its many jobs. And, a look at a New York City tradition. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, senior p...

President Trump announced a blanket tariff on all imports to the U.S., and additional, specific tariffs on dozens of countries. How will this change in trade policy impact consumers? This episode: White House correspondents Deepa Shivaram and Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. O...

Money poured into races in Florida and Wisconsin at levels usually reserved for elections during a presidential cycle. Republicans held two House seats in Florida, but by smaller margins than their previous wins there. Meanwhile, a judge aligned with Democrats won to keep a liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court — despite Elon Musk spending more than $20 million to back the Republicans' p...

The president has flirted with — and walked back — suggestions he would seek a third term in office, which runs counter to the 22nd Amendment's provisions on term limits. But that's not stopping supporters & academics from exploring ways the amendment's language may be interpreted differently. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, voting correspondent Hansi Lo Wang, and senior po...

Races to fill two vacant seats in Florida's first and sixth congressional districts are getting a lot of attention. Despite Republicans having a long history of success in both, Democrats think they have a chance to keep things close — if not possibly to pull off major upsets. We look at who is running. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, senior political editor & correspondent...

President Trump signaled more tariffs would come in April, signed an executive order about voting, & withdrew the nomination of his proposed United Nations ambassador. We look at that and more in our weekly roundup. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is...

First floated in President Trump's first term, talks of the United States annexing or otherwise acquiring Greenland have escalated in recent weeks. With the vice president and other government officials heading to the world's largest island this week, what's behind Trump's fascination with the Danish territory? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Deepa Shiv...

The Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal government have now set their sights on how the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs could be reformed. But their proposed changes could leave millions of Americans who rely on services from those agencies vulnerable. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis & Ashley Lopez, and veterans corresponde...

Before the U.S. carried out missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, senior Trump administration officials discussed the plan of action. Also part of the discussion: Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, who had inadvertently been added to a group message on Signal about the missile strike. How did this happen, and what are the implications for national security? Note: NPR CEO Kathe...

The two politicians are pushing a message that is both critical of President Trump & his policies, and of Democrats for not doing enough, in their view, to fight back in response. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis and Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. O...

President Trump spoke separately to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts this week to try and hammer out a peace deal to end the war. We explore what's in the deal and what chances it has to succeed. Then, a look at how President Trump has targeted members of the country's judicial system, from judges to law firms. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national security co...

Many U.S. farmers have evolved under free trade and grown dependent on exporting food. With tariffs already impacting the cost of U.S. exports, how will farmers handle renewed changes in trade policy? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national correspondent Kirk Siegler. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger an...