Joe Biden has been a national political figure for more than 20 percent of the United States' history. His policies and public figure have evolved over time, in ways that reflect how his Democratic Party also changed. We look back on the legacy of a man who was both one of the youngest senators ever elected, and the oldest person to serve as president. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political...
Dec 23, 2024•18 min
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. This normally would be a bonus episode just for NPR Politics Podcast+ listeners. With it being the season of giving, we're sharing this one with everyone! To hear more bonus content like this, regular episodes sponsor-free, and support the work of NPR, sign up for NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics . See pcm...
Dec 22, 2024•6 min
Lawmakers are up against a deadline of midnight Friday to pass a bill to fund the government. What's behind the hold up? Then, a ban on TikTok heads to the Supreme Court, and we go back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, political correspondent Susan Davis, technology correspondent Bobby Allyn, and voting correspondent Miles Parks. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey More...
Dec 20, 2024•24 min
For a few hours, Congress looked poised to avoid a government shutdown by passing a new short-term spending bill. But, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy & President-elect Donald Trump voiced opposition, and House Speaker Mike Johnson & lawmakers are back to square one. What now? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell....
Dec 19, 2024•17 min
Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to fund the federal government through March; will it get passed? And, in the waning days of the Biden administration, what policy objectives does the White House still want to accomplish? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every ...
Dec 18, 2024•16 min
The effects of the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion continue to be felt across the United States. We look at the state of reproductive rights in 2024, and what may change when President-elect Trump starts his second term in January. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and reproductive rights correspondent Elissa Nadworny. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Ca...
Dec 17, 2024•15 min
The president-elect spoke to the media for more than an hour at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. Topics of discussion included tariffs, vaccines and foreign policy, among others. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podca...
Dec 16, 2024•11 min
In a new report, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice looked into FBI shortcomings in the run up to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. Then, President Biden has issued a number of pardons and commutations as he prepares to leave office. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessi...
Dec 13, 2024•21 min
Tulsi Gabbard doesn't have the typical background for a director of national intelligence, but the former Hawaii congresswoman has made a name for herself: she is a Democrat-turned-Republican who staunchly backed Trump in 2024, and she holds controversial foreign policy views. Will she get the job? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessi...
Dec 12, 2024•15 min
He was a public defender and former national security aide. He is a fierce critic of the justice department and longtime ally of President-elect Trump, who wants him to run the FBI. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Po...
Dec 11, 2024•15 min
After more than 50 years in power, the Assad regime has fallen in Syria. How does the situation in Syria affect the United States, and the foreign policy ambitions of the incoming Trump administration? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to e...
Dec 10, 2024•15 min
President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first broadcast television interview since winning a second term. On NBC's Meet The Press with Kristen Welker , Trump talked about economic and domestic policy proposals that may find support — and opposition — among many members of Congress. How likely will it be for his agenda to get enacted? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. The podcas...
Dec 09, 2024•16 min
Even though he doesn't take office until January, Donald Trump is already busy, nominating cabinet officials and taking visits & calls from world leaders. How might his diplomatic efforts now impact policy later? Then, a look at the proposed Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which aims to reshape the federal government, and Can't Let It Go. This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Susan Davis, and seni...
Dec 06, 2024•27 min
After a difficult 2024 cycle, activists working to elect Democratic candidates are rethinking their playbooks for the next elections. Many organizers, including Black women, are strategizing ways to improve their coalition building. This episode: voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. L...
Dec 05, 2024•15 min
Immigration was a central focus of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Now that he's set to take office, what changes are expected to U.S. immigration policy? This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and immigration correspondent Jasmine Garsd. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast spons...
Dec 04, 2024•13 min
Democrats lost the race for the White House, and lost control of the Senate, in 2024. But, after holding on to a few competitive seats in the House of Representatives, what lessons can be learned for their future elections? This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Mu...
Dec 03, 2024•17 min
President Biden previously had said he would not issue a pardon to his son, Hunter, who was convicted in June of federal gun charges for lying about his addiction to crack cocaine when he purchased a gun. Three months later, he entered a guilty plea to tax offenses for failing to pay at least $1.4 million in federal taxes. Sentencing was expected later this month in both cases. The decision is attracting criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. This episode: voting correspondent Ashley Lop...
Dec 02, 2024•13 min
Today, the second of a two-part investigation from NPR's Embedded. All Marines take an oath to defend the Constitution. After Sgt. Joshua Abate participated in the events on January 6, the Corps has to decide if he is a Marine worth keeping. Did he break his oath when he entered the Capitol that day? And what does his case say about the changing narrative around January 6? As the 2024 presidential election approaches, January 6 casts a long shadow. NPR's Tom Bowman and Lauren Hodges follow the m...
Nov 29, 2024•34 min
Today, the first of a two-part investigation from NPR's Embedded. Sgt. Joshua Abate's career in the Marine Corps seemed to be taking off. He was about to start a top-clearance internship at the NSA. But first, he had to take a standard polygraph test. And then a routine question came up: Have you ever tried to overthrow the U.S. government? Abate told the polygrapher something that he'd been keeping quiet for nearly two years: He followed the crowd that broke into the U.S. Capitol on January 6, ...
Nov 28, 2024•39 min
Federal investigations into Donald Trump's actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection & allegations of improper retention of classified documents are essentially dead ahead of his inauguration, as is sentencing in a New York state business fraud case in which Trump was found guilty. What happens now? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produc...
Nov 27, 2024•13 min
In a post on Truth Social Monday evening, President-elect Trump announced he plans to enact tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico on his first day in office. How could this plan work, what would the economic impacts be, and will it really happen? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executiv...
Nov 26, 2024•13 min
President Biden has long supported Ukraine in its war with Russia. But, with a new Congress — and president — taking office in January, the future of U.S. aid is in question. What is Biden trying to do before he leaves office to keep helping Ukraine? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman, and congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is ...
Nov 25, 2024•11 min
Republicans gained among voting groups largely seen as part of the Democratic base. What's behind the shift, and is it a fluke or a realignment? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of t...
Nov 22, 2024•23 min
The former Florida congressman's nomination encountered controversy from the start, over allegations that he participated in sex parties, used illegal drugs and had sex with a minor. Both the House ethics committee and the FBI investigated the allegations; the federal investigation closed without charges, and the House investigation was not made public. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior national political correspondent Ma...
Nov 21, 2024•11 min
Well before we know who wins the presidential election, a clock is ticking, counting down to the next administration. The transition between one president to the next can be tumultuous, and the current transition to Donald Trump's second term is proving to be bumpier than usual. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and editor/correspondent Ron Elving. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell...
Nov 20, 2024•15 min
Even though many voters said they didn't like Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, very few who voted decided to cast their ballots for other candidates. Then, a look at why many ranked choice voting & nonpartisan primary ballot initiatives s truggled at the polls this November. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and political reporter Stephen Fowler. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han and Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Mo...
Nov 19, 2024•14 min
President-elect Donald Trump has suggested he could rely on recess appointments to get his preferred cabinet picks into position if the Senate won't confirm them. But, some conservative legal scholars argue there's another — and untested — way around the Senate's constitutional role to provide "advice and consent" and it may lead to a clash. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and political correspondent Susan Davis. The pod...
Nov 18, 2024•13 min
President-elect Trump has named Pete Hegseth to run the Department of Defense, Matt Gaetz to run the Department of Justice and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Here's what to know about them and the rest of Trump's picks, who will need to be confirmed by the Senate. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, national security correspondent Greg Myre, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and national justice correspondent Carrie John...
Nov 15, 2024•25 min
Republicans will control both chambers of Congress and the White House, giving President-elect Trump broad latitude to enact his agenda. But Congress has been largely ineffectual for years, making state legislatures key to shaping the country's policy landscape. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and editor Ryland Barton. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. O...
Nov 14, 2024•12 min
Donald Trump's election win took the wind from the sails of his election fraud conspiracy movement. Following Vice President Harris' concession, the early stages of post-election administration went smoothly and largely without controversy, a stark contrast to the aftermath of the 2020 election. But are election lies going away? This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shiviram, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and correspondent Shannon Bond. The podcast is produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey...
Nov 13, 2024•15 min
