The NPR Politics Podcast

From Israel, to Ukraine, to China, global crises and conflicts are dominating headlines. And there are key divides among Republican presidential candidates on how to respond to those crises and conflicts. We break down where the 2024 hopefuls stand on foreign policy issues, and how conflicts abroad could influence elections here at home. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campai...

The Iowa caucuses are less than two months away, and former President Trump remains the clear frontrunner in state polls. But, challengers Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis have recently picked up key endorsements that could challenge Trump's hold on that state. This episode was edited by Lexie Schapitl. It was produced by Lexie Schapitl and Jeongyoon Han. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlo...

Last week, a federal appeals court ruled that private individuals and groups, like the ACLU or NAACP, can't sue under a key section of the Voting Rights Act. It's a decision that could reshape the political landscape, at a time when states across the country are already fighting over district lines. Plus, ballots themselves come under scrutiny in Mississippi and Pennsylvania, in two examples of ho...

Roe. Brown. Obergefell. Dobbs. These Supreme Court decisions are the ones that make headlines, and eventually history books. But today, the vast majority of the Court's work actually happens out of the public eye, on what's become known as the shadow docket. The story of that transformation spans more than a century, and doesn't fall neatly along partisan lines. Today, thanks to our friends at NPR...

In this edition of the podcast, originally only available to NPR Politics Podcast+ supporters, Tamara Keith and Ron Elving quiz one lucky listener on the month that was in political news. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving. This episode was produced and edited by Viet Le. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this a...

After six weeks of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day pause in hostilities. As part of the agreement, 50 hostages currently held by Hamas and 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will be released. The deal is the result of weeks of negotiations, but a long-term solution remains elusive. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñe...

The federal election interference case against former President Trump is months away from going to trial, but last week we got a sneak peek at how prosecutors plan to make the case that Trump was responsible for the violence of Jan. 6. Plus, the Supreme Court took the unprecedented step of adopting an ethics code. But watchdogs aren't quite satisfied. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa...

For decades, abortion has been a motivating force for the Republican base. But in a post- Roe, world, it's become a political liability in general elections. That leaves 2024 presidential hopefuls attempting a balancing act: how to appeal to primary base voters that oppose abortion rights, without alienating the moderate, independent and swing voters who support them. This episode: White House cor...

It was a busy week in Washington. President Biden's support from Arab-American and Muslim American voters over Israel's war with Hamas. Congress managed to avoid a shutdown, but not without members verbally — and physically — attacking each other. And, two turkeys get ready for a stay of execution. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national political correspondent Don Gonyea, cong...

The latest NPR/PBS NewsHour /Marist Poll shows a growing number of Americans think Israel's military actions against Hamas have gone too far compared to data from last month. Respondents also are split on whether to continue financial & military support to Israel and to Ukraine in their wars, and whether the U.S. should play a leadership role in global affairs. This episode: political corresponden...

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., has long-held ties to Christian activists and leaders — some of whom are linked to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection and the growing Christian nationalism movement. We explore what those views are, and why they matter in today's political landscape. This episode: political correspondents Sarah McCammon & Susan Davis, and domestic extremism correspondent Odette...

It's a state with lots of older and younger voters, and whose population is increasingly diversifying. Combine that with a plurality of Arizona voters no longer identifying as Republicans or as Democrats, and conditions are rife for a tough election fight for any candidate. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national political corresponden...

Between lawsuits, threats & difficulty doing research, both elections officials and researchers studying misinformation say their jobs are becoming more difficult — and it's not set to get better before the 2024 presidential vote. And, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., leaves the Republican presidential race. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis & Sarah McCammon, voting correspondent Miles Par...

Today we're sharing an episode of a new NPR podcast called Trump's Trials , hosted by Scott Detrow with regular analysis from Domenico Montanaro . Each week they'll break down the latest courtroom drama, testimony, and legal maneuverings in the criminal and civil cases facing former President Trump — and talk about what it all means for American democracy. In their debut episode, Scott and Domenic...

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he wouldn't seek another term, fueling speculation he's gearing up for a presidential run. Meanwhile, new speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a major challenge to avoid a government shutdown next week, and statewide elections throughout the country this week led to good results for Democrats. Plus, a farewell to Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi...

The former U.N. ambassador and South Carolina governor is attracting new attention with voters. But, she still has a lot of ground to make up to catch former president Donald Trump. Does she have a path to win the nomination? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving. The podcast is edited by Casey Morel...

Five candidates — former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott met on a debate stage in Miami, each trying to pitch themselves as the alternative to Donald Trump. The former president, meanwhile, skipped the debate — as he has with each held...

The former president took the stand Monday in a New York courtroom and was at times combative and defense when asked to answer questions over his knowledge of fraudulent financial statements filed by the Trump Organization. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is...

Voters will decide whether to codify reproductive rights in the state's constitution this Election Day, continuing a trend of state referenda on abortion access after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Ohio's current abortion ban, prohibiting the procedure after six weeks, is currently on hold due to a legal injunction. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political corres...

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) has a lot on his agenda — aid to Israel and Ukraine, a looming government shutdown & more. He'll need bipartisan support to get things done, but how doable that is remains to be seen. And, polls in New Hampshire are tightening ahead of January's primaries — even with a major candidate off the ballot entirely. This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez...

Senate colleagues are frustrated with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who continues to block appointments to the military chain of command as a form of protest over policy allowing servicemembers to reproductive care. And, efforts to castigate three House members fell short. This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, political correspondent Susan Davis, Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman, and...

President Biden has offered strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas, even traveling to the country to show the United States' commitment to Israel's defense. But that stance has some Democrats sharply critical of the Biden administration for not focusing enough on the war's impacts on Palestinians — something that might be a problem as the president campaigns for reelection. This episod...

A suit filed in the state alleges the former president is ineligible to seek public office based on a provision in the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What does the suit claim, and what could happen next? This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, Colorado Public Radio public affairs reporter Bente Birkeland, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is edited &...

The idea of term limiting congressional representatives tends to poll well, but — in practice — the idea probably wouldn't reduce extreme partisanship or curb outside influence. But there are some ideas, like multi-member districts and reforms to primary elections, that could make a big difference. This episode: congressional correspondent Kelsey Snell, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez and senior...

Drawing congressional and statehouse districts in a way that solidifies a party's political power is a primary driver of the country's extreme, hyper-partisan political environment. Here's how the fight over new maps in Georgia and North Carolina is expected to reshape national politics. This episode: campaign correspondent Sarah McCammon, Georgia Public Broadcasting reporter Stephen Fowler, votin...