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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.

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Episodes

Dueling Arizona Ballot Measures Could Juice Voter Turnout

As abortion access advocates canvas the state gathering signatures to get a ballot initiative in front of voters, Republican lawmakers in Arizona advanced an immigration enforcement referendum of their own. Both are likely to drive turnout in November's election, though figuring out exactly who that benefits is complicated. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, politics reporter Ben Giles, and national political correspondent Sarah McCammon. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Ha...

Jun 12, 202415 min

Trump Calls DOJ Rigged. It Just Convicted Hunter Biden.

Hunter Biden, the president's son, has been convicted on three felony charges tied to his purchase of a firearm while addicted to illegal drugs. President Biden says he will not pardon his son. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is Bria Suggs. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive pro...

Jun 11, 202410 min

Biden Makes A Longshot Play For Nikki Haley Voters

The Biden campaign has hired a former Republican congressional chief-of-staff to lead its outreach to Republican voters, but interviews and polling suggest that, even despite Donald Trump's felony convictions, Nikki Haley's supporters are likely to back the former president come November. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, ...

Jun 10, 202413 min

Politics Roundup: Hunter Biden Trial, Congressional Races

The president's son is being tried on federal firearm charges for allegedly lying about his drug use when he bought a gun in 2018. And as presidential primary season concludes, we turn our attention to the congressional races likely to determine control of the House and Senate. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales. The podcast is produced ...

Jun 07, 202419 min

Additional Trump Charges Likely Won't Be Decided By Election

The state charges in Georgia are on ice as Donald Trump and his team pursue an appeal, with initial arguments set for October. In the near term, Trump will need to select a vice presidential candidate and Sen. Tim Scott is making his case with a $14 million dollar effort to persuade Black voters. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, campaign correspondent Franco Ordoñez, campaign reporter Stephen Fowler and campaign reporter Elena Moore, The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Ca...

Jun 06, 202414 min

Money, Democracy, China: Understand the US-Taiwan Alliance

In the landmark bipartisan foreign aid package that passed earlier this year, there was money for two allies in ongoing military conflicts: Israel and Ukraine. But there was also money for the Indo-Pacific region. So why is the U.S. interested in the region and how is Taiwan involved? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, defense correspondent Tom Bowman, and foreign correspondent Emily Feng. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our intern is B...

Jun 05, 202412 min

Biden Will Temporarily Bar Most Asylum Seekers At US Border

Following several record-high months for migrants crossings at the U.S. southern border last year, President Biden is taking executive action to swiftly deport would-be asylum seekers when the seven-day average of unauthorized crossings exceeds 2,500. It echoes past Trump administration policies and, pending expected court challenges, implements provisions laid out in a doomed bipartisan reform proposal negotiated earlier this year. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior natio...

Jun 04, 202413 min

Not Mad, Just Disappointed: Hear From Unenthused Voters

A huge portion of the American public doesn't like its choices this presidential cycle. So what will those voters do when they get to the ballot box? NPR partnered with Rich Thau of Engagious and Sago to put together focus groups and hear from them directly. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Lexie Schapi...

Jun 03, 202418 min

Weekly Roundup: Democracy and the Courts

Donald Trump, convicted yesterday of 34 felonies, held an event this morning where he continued his attacks on the judge who oversaw his case and the legal system as a whole. His allegations of a "rigged" process and politically-motivated judiciary have been echoed by Republican lawmakers of all stripes, in a major erosion of democratic norms. And Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is refusing to recuse himself from any cases after New York Times reporting revealed that flags associated with ele...

May 31, 202423 min

Donald Trump Guilty On All Counts In New York Criminal Trial

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to influence the 2016 election, a historic verdict as Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, campaigns again for the White House. This is the first time a former or sitting U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. The podcast was produce...

May 31, 202414 min

Democrats Haven't Won North Carolina Since 2008. Can Biden?

North Carolina is a purple state with a Democratic governor and a closely-divided, Republican-controlled statehouse. But Democrats have struggled to win presidential elections in that state since Barack Obama won there in 2008. That hasn't stopped the Biden campaign from investing there. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han...

May 29, 202415 min

Does Biden Have A "Red Line" On His Support For Israel?

President Biden's steadfast commitment to Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas hasn't changed, even as the civilian death toll tops 35,000, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. That is in contrast to many of his fellow world leaders — and to many of his own voters. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Ou...

May 28, 202414 min

Encore: NPR's Electoral College Map Analysis

The 2024 presidential race will come down to two key regions: the industrial Midwest and the Sun Belt, The number of white voters without a college degree is dwindling as a share of the total electorate, but can Trump's inroads with voters of color help him to make up the ground he needs to defeat President Biden? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast...

May 27, 202416 min

Weekly Roundup: Border Crossings Have Dramatically Declined

Trump's trial enters its final stage next week as lawyers make their closing arguments and the case is expected to head to the jury. And immigration remains a top campaign issue after a record-high level of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border this winter gave way to an atypically quiet spring. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political reporter Ximena Bustillo, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, immigration correspondent Sergio Martínez-Be...

May 24, 202421 min

Nikki Haley Has Backed Trump. Will Her Voters?

The former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina governor continued to receive protest votes in the Republican presidential primary contest long after she dropped out. Now, Nikki Haley says she'll vote for Trump. How many of her voters will follow her lead? This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli ...

May 23, 202415 min

Talking To The Wisconsinites Who Haven't Made Up Their Minds

The state is vital in both candidates' path clearing the 270 electoral vote threshold necessary to win the presidency. Wisconsin went once for Donald Trump and once for Joe Biden. How are voters in the state feeling this year? This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent Don Gonyea, and political reporter Elena Moore. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer...

May 22, 202415 min

Trump Could Win Georgia As Biden Coalition Fractures

The diverse coalition of voters that delivered Georgia for President Biden in 2020 might not hold together in 2024. Many young and Black voters wanted to see more action from the administration on voting rights and criminal justice reform and some could stay home in November. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morel...

May 21, 202415 min

Trump Wants To Do What Reagan Couldn't: Win Minnesota

The last time a Republican presidential nominee won the state of Minnesota was 1972, but lagging enthusiasm for President Biden and a strong 2016 performance in the state have Donald Trump's campaign hoping for an upset. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and Minnesota Public Radio senior politics reporter Clay Masters. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDani...

May 20, 202414 min

Roundup: Yes, Biden And Trump Are Going To Debate

Michael Cohen, a former Donald Trump attorney and central witness for the prosecution, testified against the former president in court this week. His appearance is a sign the case could soon reach its conclusion. And President Biden and Trump will meet for at least two debates before November's election. Also, Maryland's expensive primary race has ended, and Democrat Angela Alsobrooks will face Republican Larry Hogan, a popular former governor whose candidacy could flip a Senate seat in the blue...

May 17, 202426 min

Fearing Legal Risks, Fla. Voter Registration Groups Scale Back

Florida recently increased criminal penalties for mistakes and possible fraud by groups who work to register voters. The move has led many of the groups to dramatically scale back their efforts to limit their legal risk. That could lead to lower turnout rates for young voters and voters of color in November. This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center and co-reported with the Center for Public Integrity. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, ...

May 16, 202414 min

Hear Trump Explain His Vision For A Second Presidential Term

Mass deportations, expanded presidential power and a civil service that emphasizes loyalty to the chief executive: here are the things Donald Trump hopes to pursue in a second term. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and political reporter Stephen Fowler. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR ...

May 15, 202417 min

Jobs, Climate, China: Biden Unveils Robust New EV Tariffs

President Biden announced new tariffs on electric vehicles, semiconductors and other products to punish China for what he describes as unfair trade practices. It is expected to keep inexpensive Chinese-made vehicles out of the American market, limiting consumer access to cheap electric cars while bolstering the domestic auto and manufacturing industries. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and cars and energy correspondent Camila Domonoske. T...

May 14, 202412 min

Americans Say The Economy's Bad, But Spend Like It's Good

What does that distinction mean for Democrats' political fortunes come November? Will the 2024 look more like the 2022 midterm elections, where voters backed Democrats despite a struggling economy? Or is it 1980, when inflation and an unpopular Democratic president led to a surge in Republican power? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey...

May 13, 202415 min

Weekly Roundup: Jail Time For Trump Over Gag Order Violations?

Donald Trump remains on trial in New York state court over alleged hush money payments. This week, Trump was warned by the judge to stop violating his gag order or he could find himself in jail. And thousands of people are still casting ballots for Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary, even though she suspended her campaign months ago. Will those protest voters come home to Trump's candidacy, vote for President Biden or just stay home? This episode: political correspondent Susan Da...

May 10, 202422 min

Biden Threatens To Halt Weapons Shipments To Israel

In an interview with CNN, President Biden said he would block further U.S. shipments of weapons to Israel if it launched a ground invasion of Rafah as part of the Israeli war in Gaza. What impact will his statement have both for the U.S.-Israel relationship, and among progressive Democrats who call for a halt to weapon shipments to Israel? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. This podcast ...

May 09, 202414 min

Mike Johnson Keeps His Job — For Now

Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion Wednesday afternoon to remove Speaker of the House Mike Johnson from his job. It failed by a wide, bipartisan margin. What happens now? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger. It was edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to ever...

May 09, 202411 min

The Fight To Fire The House Speaker — Again

Some members of the House Republican conference are mad at Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for a variety of reasons. But do they have the votes to kick him out of his role — and send the House back to the paralysis it faced last year? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, congressional reporter Barbara Sprunt, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger. It was edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Mut...

May 08, 202413 min

What's Driving People To — Or Away From — The Polls?

With 26 weeks to go until Election Day, voters' opinions on the major candidates are forming. We explore the different — and similar — issues motivating people across all ages to go to the polls, like abortion, the economy & Israel's war in Gaza against Hamas. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, political reporter Elena Moore, and national political correspondent Don Gonyea. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han & Kelli Wessinger. It was edited by Casey Morell. Our executive ...

May 07, 202413 min

Who Wants To Be Trump's VP?

As the presumptive Republican nominee for president, Donald Trump faces a lot of big decisions — perhaps none more so than who his running mate will be. We discuss who might be on Trump's shortlist, and what qualities he's looking for in a vice president. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, and produced & edited by Casey Morell. Our executive pro...

May 06, 202415 min

Roundup: What To Impart To Your Kids? Depends On Your Party

A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll highlights values differences between Democrats and Republicans, as well as a shift in President Biden's coalition of voters. And Donald Trump was fined nine thousand dollars for violating a gag order, meant to protect witnesses and jurors from harassment, during his criminal trial. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, political reporter Ximena Bustillo, and national political...

May 03, 202426 min
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