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 correspondent Carrie Johnson and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith. This podcast was produced by C...
Jun 29, 2026•23 min
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 Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive...
Jun 26, 2026•24 min
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: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, personal finance reporter Stephan Bisaha, and senior national...
Jun 25, 2026•15 min
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 Radio reporter Jon Campbell. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited b...
Jun 24, 2026•18 min
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 by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politi...
Jun 23, 2026•16 min
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: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and White House corre...
Jun 22, 2026•19 min
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 – to unpack the details of the agreement and break down where the war has left the Middle East. Fin...
Jun 19, 2026•35 min
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 produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to ev...
Jun 18, 2026•18 min
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, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rache...
Jun 17, 2026•21 min
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 Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics P...
Jun 16, 2026•23 min
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 and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the...
Jun 15, 2026•17 min
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, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs an...
Jun 12, 2026•22 min
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 Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muth...
Jun 11, 2026•17 min
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 Homeland Security and immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo. This podcast was produced by Bria S...
Jun 10, 2026•19 min
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 correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior national political correspon...
Jun 09, 2026•18 min
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 Keith, and Maine Public state house correspondent Kevin Miller. This podcast was produced by Bria S...
Jun 08, 2026•19 min
As recently as a few days ago, it looked like President Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund might prevent Congress from passing funding for immigration enforcement agencies. Even though it passed in the end, Trump's fund made the process harder. We discuss how the president is testing the limits of Republicans’ willingness to push through his agenda. Plus, do political scandals matter anymore? This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, an...
Jun 05, 2026•30 min
Voters in several of this week’s primary races rejected incumbents and politicians backed by Washington leaders in favor of outsiders. We discuss that and other takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries, plus how the Supreme Court’s ruling that lets Alabama redraw its congressional map changes the outcome of the mid-decade redistricting arms race. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez. This podcast was produced by Bri...
Jun 04, 2026•18 min
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters was released from prison this week, after Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. Peters was convicted of tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election. We discuss what to make of Peters’ release, plus the dozens of election deniers running for political offices that oversee state and local elections. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and Colorado Public Radio re...
Jun 03, 2026•17 min
A federal court put President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” on hold, but Republican leaders on Capitol Hill say they would like to see the president back away from the fund permanently. We discuss why the fund poses a political problem for Republican lawmakers. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, Supreme Court and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye....
Jun 02, 2026•17 min
To win control of Congress, Democrats need to win rural and working-class voters in traditionally Republican strongholds. We discuss the party’s strategies in two states with primary elections on Tuesday, Iowa and Montana. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and rural affairs correspondent Kirk Siegler. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episo...
Jun 01, 2026•19 min
It was another busy week in politics. For our weekly news roundup, we discuss the Justice Department’s investigation into E. Jean Carroll, a writer who won two lawsuits against President Trump. We also discuss former First Lady Jill Biden’s comments about former President Joe Biden’s 2024 debate performance, as well as which Democrats might be on the 2028 presidential ballot. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, White House correspondent Deepa Shi...
May 29, 2026•32 min
After about two months on the job, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has shifted the agency’s immigration enforcement efforts toward tactics that generate fewer headlines but still result in mass deportations. We discuss what those tactics look like and how the Trump administration is using immigration to appeal to Republicans ahead of November’s election. This episode: political correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and White House corresponden...
May 28, 2026•21 min
Republican Sen. John Cornyn was one of a few incumbents who lost their re-election bids in Texas’ primary run-off election Tuesday. We discuss what to make of the results and what to expect between now and November. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and Texas Newsroom reporter Blaise Gainey. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to...
May 27, 2026•16 min
When voting in California’s primary election wraps on June 2, a crowded field of 62 candidates vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom will narrow to just two who will compete in November. We discuss major factors shaping the race, including the state’s unique primary system, as well as a high-profile effort to unseat Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and KQED correspondent Guy Marzorati. This...
May 26, 2026•22 min
From NPR's Sources & Methods : The attack at a mosque in San Diego underscores larger problems: the rise of far right extremism and the rise of Islamophobia. But a new White House document on rising threats make no mention of right-wing extremist groups. Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR national security correspondent Greg Myre and NPR domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef about what radicalized the two teens involved in the San Diego attack. They also look into the latest ver...
May 25, 2026•34 min
Tensions between congressional Republicans and the White House caused leaders on the Hill to delay a vote on immigration funding. We discuss what's at the center of the fighting, plus what this week’s indictment of Cuba's Raúl Castro says about President Trump's plans for the island nation. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This...
May 22, 2026•28 min
NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 North Carolina voters who backed President Joe Biden in 2020 and President Donald Trump in 2024. We discuss what they say about President Trump, the economy, the Democratic Party and artificial intelligence. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Mut...
May 21, 2026•20 min
President Trump wasn't on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries, but he notched a victory when the challenger he backed defeated Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie. We discuss Massie's loss and other primary election results from Tuesday, as well as Trump’s new endorsement in the upcoming Republican primary run-off in Texas' Senate race. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. ...
May 20, 2026•19 min
President Trump is creating a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who say they were victims of the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. We discuss who could get payouts and who makes that call. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, Supreme Court and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni M...
May 19, 2026•16 min
