The NPR Politics Podcast

Tens of millions are being spent. Donald Trump, Jr. and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) are holding rallies for their preferred candidates. It's the kind of thing seen for statehouse or congressional races — not necessarily state supreme court elections. We look at Wisconsin's upcoming state supreme court election, and why it is getting so much national attention. This episode: senior White House correspo...

After bruising losses in November's elections, Democrats are trying to figure out how to unite their many factions behind a common set of ideas & objectives. Infighting in the party itself, though, doesn't make it any easier. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and political correspondent Susan Davis. The podcast is produced by B...

The Trump administration used the 18th century law as justification for deporting hundreds of alleged gang members. Why was it invoked, and what does its use mean for future immigration action? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Ke...

Congressional Democrats are at odds as to whether or not to support Republican-led efforts to keep the government funded ahead of a Friday deadline. We look at the divisions. Then, the White House expressed support for a ceasefire in Ukraine & pushed for more tariffs on imported goods, and a certain pop star gets a pop-up. This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñez, an...

Since taking office, President Trump has championed the idea of reducing the federal workforce. A February 26 memo gave agencies until today to come up with a plan for that reduction. What does this memo mean and how is it different than the previous cuts federal agencies have seen? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, government restructuring reporter Stephen Fowler, and education...

Since returning to office, President Trump has moved quickly to reshape the federal government. His actions, which have moved to put more power under his purview, align with a belief in some conservative circles of the unitary executive: an idea that the president and the president alone controls all actions undertaken by the executive branch. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, p...

While studying at Columbia University, Khalil helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus relating to Israel's war with Gaza. He was taken into ICE custody Saturday, and the Trump administration has said it wants to deport Khalil as part of a wider crackdown on what it calls anti-Semitic protests on college campuses — even though Khalil is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. This...

Hundreds have been infected and two have died as measles outbreaks have occurred in West Texas and New Mexico. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a vaccine skeptic, has given conflicting advice to people wanting to avoid infection. Why are vaccination rates declining, and what do these outbreaks mean for public health in the U.S.? This episode: political correspondent Susa...

In a cabinet meeting this week, President Trump affirmed that while DOGE — the entity meant to reshape the federal government, with Elon Musk as figurehead — has the ability to advise changes, Musk does not have the power to fire government staffers. Then, a look at how Vice President JD Vance has started to reshape the role of the vice presidency. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCam...

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to enact tariffs on some of the United States' largest trading partners. As president, he has made good on that promise — but with more than a few exceptions and caveats. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and chief economic correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kel...

Immigration was a major campaign issue for Donald Trump as he sought to return to the White House. Now that he's back, what policies has he implemented, and how to do they align with what he promised on the campaign trail? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produ...

In the longest address of its kind before Congress in recent memory, President Trump laid out his policy objectives on the economy, immigration, foreign policy & other topics. He was repeatedly critical of Democrats & his predecessor, Joe Biden. One Democratic congressman was escorted out of the House chamber after heckling Trump, and the Democratic Party's response delivered by Sen. Elissa Slotki...

In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll , a majority of respondents think the state of the union is not strong, and that President Trump is moving too quickly in trying to reshape the federal government. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by B...

Federal judges have enormous power over their courtrooms and their chambers, which can leave employees vulnerable to abuse, with few ways to report their concerns anonymously. Forty-two current and former federal judicial employees spoke to NPR about their experience of mistreatment working for judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...

Congress is trying to come up with a new budget, while also attempting to extend tax cuts put in place during President Trump's first term. But with a very small majority in both houses, Republicans have little margin for error. Then, we look at the first cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, the upcoming presidential address to a joint session of Congress, and changes to the White House pr...

Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration's goals, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and international correspond...

Proposals from DOGE, Elon Musk's entity tasked with making the federal government more "efficient," have resulted in lawsuits, pushback from other federal agencies, and a lot of uncertainty for the millions of people who work for the federal government. We look at what's happened & what's to come. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, and correspondents Shannon Bond & Chris Arnold. Th...

People who work for the federal court system don't have the same kinds of job protections that most other Americans do. A nearly year-long NPR investigation has found problems with the way the courts police sexual harassment and bullying and a pervasive culture of fear about blowing the whistle. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and s...

Over the weekend, the Trump administration fired several high-ranking military leaders and announced it plans to fire over 5,000 probationary Pentagon employees starting this week. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited...

Kash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI director yesterday despite questions about his qualifications. The vote was the narrowest in recent memory with two Republicans joining the Democrats in voting "no." Then, Donald Trump is undertaking efforts to slash federal government spending, which includes international pro-democracy and human rights groups. Is China moving in to fill the vacuum the U.S....

Sen. Mitch McConnell announced today that he would not seek reelection when his term is over in 2026, ending his 40-year career in Congress. Then, Donald Trump signed another executive order on Tuesday, giving him expanded power over independent agencies. This episode: political correspondents Sarah McCammon and Susan Davis, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior national politi...

Democrats lost the Senate and the White House in November's elections. Now as a minority party, their representatives — and their voters — are trying to figure out what to do next, and how to provide a roadblock to President Trump's ambitions. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Monta...

President Trump has shifted U.S. policy regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia. On Tuesday, The U.S. and Russia met for peace talks — without Ukraine — with a goal to ending the conflict. What's behind the shift? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs...

He campaigned on lowering the cost of household goods, but inflation remains outside the range the Federal Reserve desires, and the cost of eggs, among other items, remains higher than usual. What does President Trump's economic policy look like? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. The...

The Department of Justice instructed prosecutors to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Rather than abiding by the order, many prosecutors have resigned in protest. Then, two of President Trump's more controversial cabinet picks, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., were confirmed to their posts. How did they overcome initial skepticism? This episode: Wh...