Before the U.S. carried out missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, senior Trump administration officials discussed the plan of action. Also part of the discussion: Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, who had inadvertently been added to a group message on Signal about the missile strike. How did this happen, and what are the implications for national security? Note: NPR CEO Katherine Maher is chair of the board of the Signal Foundation, whose subsidiary makes Signal. This episo...
Mar 25, 2025•16 min
The two politicians are pushing a message that is both critical of President Trump & his policies, and of Democrats for not doing enough, in their view, to fight back in response. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis and Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor...
Mar 24, 2025•12 min
President Trump spoke separately to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts this week to try and hammer out a peace deal to end the war. We explore what's in the deal and what chances it has to succeed. Then, a look at how President Trump has targeted members of the country's judicial system, from judges to law firms. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Greg Myre, national justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and senior political editor & corr...
Mar 21, 2025•24 min
Many U.S. farmers have evolved under free trade and grown dependent on exporting food. With tariffs already impacting the cost of U.S. exports, how will farmers handle renewed changes in trade policy? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national correspondent Kirk Siegler. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the N...
Mar 20, 2025•15 min
Tens of millions are being spent. Donald Trump, Jr. and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) are holding rallies for their preferred candidates. It's the kind of thing seen for statehouse or congressional races — not necessarily state supreme court elections. We look at Wisconsin's upcoming state supreme court election, and why it is getting so much national attention. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Wisconsin Publ...
Mar 19, 2025•12 min
After bruising losses in November's elections, Democrats are trying to figure out how to unite their many factions behind a common set of ideas & objectives. Infighting in the party itself, though, doesn't make it any easier. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and political correspondent Susan Davis. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Li...
Mar 18, 2025•15 min
The Trump administration used the 18th century law as justification for deporting hundreds of alleged gang members. Why was it invoked, and what does its use mean for future immigration action? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every ...
Mar 17, 2025•11 min
Congressional Democrats are at odds as to whether or not to support Republican-led efforts to keep the government funded ahead of a Friday deadline. We look at the divisions. Then, the White House expressed support for a ceasefire in Ukraine & pushed for more tariffs on imported goods, and a certain pop star gets a pop-up. This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñez, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessin...
Mar 14, 2025•24 min
Since taking office, President Trump has championed the idea of reducing the federal workforce. A February 26 memo gave agencies until today to come up with a plan for that reduction. What does this memo mean and how is it different than the previous cuts federal agencies have seen? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, government restructuring reporter Stephen Fowler, and education correspondent Cory Turner. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Ca...
Mar 13, 2025•15 min
Since returning to office, President Trump has moved quickly to reshape the federal government. His actions, which have moved to put more power under his purview, align with a belief in some conservative circles of the unitary executive: an idea that the president and the president alone controls all actions undertaken by the executive branch. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, political correspondent Susan Davis, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. The podcast i...
Mar 12, 2025•17 min
While studying at Columbia University, Khalil helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus relating to Israel's war with Gaza. He was taken into ICE custody Saturday, and the Trump administration has said it wants to deport Khalil as part of a wider crackdown on what it calls anti-Semitic protests on college campuses — even though Khalil is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senio...
Mar 11, 2025•11 min
Hundreds have been infected and two have died as measles outbreaks have occurred in West Texas and New Mexico. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a vaccine skeptic, has given conflicting advice to people wanting to avoid infection. Why are vaccination rates declining, and what do these outbreaks mean for public health in the U.S.? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and health correspondent Mari...
Mar 10, 2025•14 min
In a cabinet meeting this week, President Trump affirmed that while DOGE — the entity meant to reshape the federal government, with Elon Musk as figurehead — has the ability to advise changes, Musk does not have the power to fire government staffers. Then, a look at how Vice President JD Vance has started to reshape the role of the vice presidency. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political reporter Stephen Fowler, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior politic...
Mar 07, 2025•22 min
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to enact tariffs on some of the United States' largest trading partners. As president, he has made good on that promise — but with more than a few exceptions and caveats. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and chief economic correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every e...
Mar 06, 2025•13 min
Immigration was a major campaign issue for Donald Trump as he sought to return to the White House. Now that he's back, what policies has he implemented, and how to do they align with what he promised on the campaign trail? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Mu...
Mar 05, 2025•16 min
In the longest address of its kind before Congress in recent memory, President Trump laid out his policy objectives on the economy, immigration, foreign policy & other topics. He was repeatedly critical of Democrats & his predecessor, Joe Biden. One Democratic congressman was escorted out of the House chamber after heckling Trump, and the Democratic Party's response delivered by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) largely discussed how her party differs with Trump on economic and foreign policy issues...
Mar 05, 2025•21 min
In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll , a majority of respondents think the state of the union is not strong, and that President Trump is moving too quickly in trying to reshape the federal government. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Li...
Mar 03, 2025•14 min
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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...
Mar 01, 2025•28 min
Congress is trying to come up with a new budget, while also attempting to extend tax cuts put in place during President Trump's first term. But with a very small majority in both houses, Republicans have little margin for error. Then, we look at the first cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, the upcoming presidential address to a joint session of Congress, and changes to the White House press pool. And, we can't let go of television — a lot of it. This episode: political correspondent Su...
Feb 28, 2025•21 min
Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration's goals, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and international correspondent Jane Arraf. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. ...
Feb 27, 2025•17 min
Proposals from DOGE, Elon Musk's entity tasked with making the federal government more "efficient," have resulted in lawsuits, pushback from other federal agencies, and a lot of uncertainty for the millions of people who work for the federal government. We look at what's happened & what's to come. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, and correspondents Shannon Bond & Chris Arnold. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive prod...
Feb 26, 2025•17 min
People who work for the federal court system don't have the same kinds of job protections that most other Americans do. A nearly year-long NPR investigation has found problems with the way the courts police sexual harassment and bullying and a pervasive culture of fear about blowing the whistle. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli W...
Feb 25, 2025•13 min
Over the weekend, the Trump administration fired several high-ranking military leaders and announced it plans to fire over 5,000 probationary Pentagon employees starting this week. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politi...
Feb 24, 2025•13 min
Kash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI director yesterday despite questions about his qualifications. The vote was the narrowest in recent memory with two Republicans joining the Democrats in voting "no." Then, Donald Trump is undertaking efforts to slash federal government spending, which includes international pro-democracy and human rights groups. Is China moving in to fill the vacuum the U.S. leaves behind? This episode: political correspondents Ashley Lopez and Susan Davis, justice corresp...
Feb 21, 2025•19 min
Sen. Mitch McConnell announced today that he would not seek reelection when his term is over in 2026, ending his 40-year career in Congress. Then, Donald Trump signed another executive order on Tuesday, giving him expanded power over independent agencies. This episode: political correspondents Sarah McCammon and Susan Davis, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited ...
Feb 20, 2025•16 min
Democrats lost the Senate and the White House in November's elections. Now as a minority party, their representatives — and their voters — are trying to figure out what to do next, and how to provide a roadblock to President Trump's ambitions. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our execu...
Feb 19, 2025•13 min
President Trump has shifted U.S. policy regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia. On Tuesday, The U.S. and Russia met for peace talks — without Ukraine — with a goal to ending the conflict. What's behind the shift? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to e...
Feb 18, 2025•15 min
He campaigned on lowering the cost of household goods, but inflation remains outside the range the Federal Reserve desires, and the cost of eggs, among other items, remains higher than usual. What does President Trump's economic policy look like? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive prod...
Feb 17, 2025•14 min
The Department of Justice instructed prosecutors to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Rather than abiding by the order, many prosecutors have resigned in protest. Then, two of President Trump's more controversial cabinet picks, Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., were confirmed to their posts. How did they overcome initial skepticism? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice...
Feb 14, 2025•25 min
The unit, led by Elon Musk, has run into legal obstacles as it continues its rapid efforts to change the way the federal government functions. We look at the latest developments. This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñez, and State Department correspondent Michele Kelemen. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unl...
Feb 13, 2025•13 min
