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The NPR Politics Podcast Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics
The NPR Politics Podcast

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The NPR Politics Podcast

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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Most Recent Episodes

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

President Donald Trump takes the oath of office Jan. 27, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Jim Bourg/AP hide caption

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Jim Bourg/AP

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith has been looking at what Donald Trump did in early 2017 when he first took office, and what might be different this time around.

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

Listen · 5:33
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In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a news conference Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

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George Walker IV/AP

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

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.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Listen · 27:39
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Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a ceremony to award Mexican actor/singer/radio personality Angelica Vale a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Did Eric Garcetti, a powerful Democrat, lie under oath about a #MeToo scandal in his office?

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Listen · 41:04
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The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

President Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. Carlos Barria/Pool, via AP hide caption

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Carlos Barria/Pool, via AP

The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

The U.S. launched a military strike against nuclear sites in Iran, further involving itself in Israel's conflict with Iran. We look at what happened, and the lasting implications of the action.

The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

Listen · 19:10
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Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

The Los Angeles City Hall building is seen in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

What happens when political ambition collides with a #MeToo allegation in the Democratic party?

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

Listen · 42:52
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One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the World AIDS Day event hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Jonathan Ernst/Pool, via AP hide caption

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Jonathan Ernst/Pool, via AP

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

From our friends at The Indicator from Planet Money: What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with journalist Jon Cohen, who traveled to Eswatini and Lesotho to learn how cuts under the Trump administration are hitting people at the clinic door.

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

Listen · 9:55
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Congress delivers Trump a win with tax and spending bill

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable at "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Congress delivers Trump a win with tax and spending bill

Congress narrowly passed President Trump's massive tax and spending bill this week. We discuss what the GOP victory could mean for the 2026 midterm elections. And, we look at the message the president was trying to send with his visit to a new migrant detention center in the Everglades.

Congress delivers Trump a win with tax and spending bill

Listen · 16:02
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Poll: most Americans think democracy is under serious threat

An American flag at Portland Head Light catches the light at sunrise, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/AP hide caption

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Robert F. Bukaty/AP

Poll: most Americans think democracy is under serious threat

Most Americans are worried about democracy, have little faith in their political leaders, and disapprove of President Trump's job performance, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. We break down the results and look at the implications.

Poll: most Americans think democracy is under serious threat

Listen · 13:17
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Senate passes Trump tax cut & spending bill

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, leaves the chamber as Republicans planned to begin a final push to advance President Donald Trump's big tax breaks and spending cuts package. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Senate passes Trump tax cut & spending bill

Vice President JD Vance had to break a 50-50 tie in the Senate in order for the bill to pass, after three Republicans joined with Democrats to vote against it. We look at what's in the bill, and what still has to happen for it to become law.

Senate passes Trump tax cut & spending bill

Listen · 13:51
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Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

The seal of U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen at the headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

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Jose Luis Magana/AP

Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

For decades, voting officials have noted that there was no national citizenship list to compare their state lists to, so to verify citizenship for their voters, they either needed to ask people to provide a birth certificate or a passport — something that could disenfranchise millions — or use a complex patchwork of disparate data sources. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is offering another way: creating a searchable data system of citizenship records. Elections officials and privacy advocates are expressing concern.

Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

Listen · 9:48
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