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Two dozen states are suing the Trump administration over its decision to withhold about $6 billion in federal education grants. And the Supreme Court says the administration can go ahead with layoffs at the Department of Education. We discuss the impacts these developments have on local school districts. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, education reporter Sequoia Carrillo and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Ca...
The big tax and spending bill President Trump signed into law earlier this month included $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Supreme Court recently told the administration it could deport people to countries with which they have no ties. We discuss these and other developments that are helping the president accelerate deportation efforts. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior national po...
Before taking office, President Trump promised to release the FBI's files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Now he is urging his supporters to stop talking about Epstein. We discuss what the backlash means for Trump, for MAGA, and for the future of the Republican party. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Sug...
President Trump has said he is considering eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. We discuss FEMA's role in helping Texas communities recover from recent flash floods, and what that response indicates about the agency's future. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and environmental correspondent Rebecca Hersher. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rac...
The Supreme Court gave President Trump the green light to move forward with plans to lay off thousands of federal workers. We discuss the potential impacts of the ruling, plus new tariffs Trump announced this week. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by ...
During the campaign, President Trump promised a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but he has so far not been able to strike a deal to stop the fighting. We discuss the president's changing views on the conflict and whether Washington is likely to approve more military aid to Ukraine. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and...
The Department of Justice has taken the rare step of suing all of the federal District Court judges in Maryland, after the Maryland court issued a 48-hour pause in every case where an immigrant was challenging their removal from the United States. We examine why this lawsuit is so unusual and how it fits into the Trump Administration's larger attitude toward the judicial branch. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, Justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior national politica...
President Trump's new tax and spending law is expected to result in nearly 12 million Americans losing health insurance. Advocates say it also effectively reduces access to abortions even in states where they are legal. We dive into how it all works and how Democrats hope to use the changes in campaigns. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and health correspondent Katia Riddle. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, ...
President Trump has promised that his newly signed tax and spending law will be a boon for taxpayers and the economy as a whole. We dig into what the legislation really does and what it could mean for Americans' wallets. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Mut...
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. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public med...
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. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell...
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. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. Our ...
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. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni...
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 ad...
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that federal courts exceeded their authority by issuing a nationwide injunction on President Trump's birthright citizenship order. We look at what that means for the future of birthright citizenship and other Trump policies that have been challenged by the courts. And of course, Can't Let It Go. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This po...
From Trump Tower to Trump Steaks, President Trump's business ventures have always been about the Trump brand. What does that mean when the man behind the brand is back in the White House? Trump's recent financial disclosures offer some clues. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Lexie Schapitl. Our executive producer is...
President Trump is nearing a critical juncture for several of his top priorities. He wants Congress to pass his sweeping legislative agenda by July 4th. His tariff pause expires on July 8th. And a leaked preliminary intelligence report has cast doubt on his claims that Iran's nuclear facilities were totally obliterated by last weekend's strikes. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben and senior national political correspondent M...
President Trump and his Cabinet say Iran's nuclear program was "devastated," "obliterated," and "destroyed" by U.S. strikes this weekend. But the reality is it's much more complicated. As Iran and Israel enter a fragile ceasefire, we discuss just how effective this military action was. Plus, how is Congress responding. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and senior science editor and correspondent Geoff Brumfiel. This podcast...
Iran launched missile attacks on a U.S. Air Force base in Qatar following this weekend's U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. We break down what we know, and what risks this might pose for President Trump — militarily and politically — going forward. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondnet Greg Myre, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Lexie Schapitl. Our...
The U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. NPR correspondents detail the attack's execution, the challenges in assessing its full impact, and the administration's rationale for the military action. They also discuss the political context, potential for Iranian retaliation, domestic political reactions, and compare this limited strike to past U.S. conflicts in the Middle East.
As Israel and Iran continue to launch aerial assaults against each other, there are growing questions as to whether the U.S. will get involved in the offensive, too. President Trump said he'd make a decision within the next two weeks. Then, a look at the spending package currently working its way through Congress. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. This podcast was produced by Bria...
And now, a diversion from the news. When Weird Al's debut single, "My Bologna," came out, there wasn't really a model for how a parody artist could have any longevity in their career. Yet Al's figured out how to stay popular for over four decades. Ahead of his summer "Bigger and Weirder" tour, he talks with Wild Card with Rachel Martin about staying weird as he ages, parenthood, and his devoted (some might say obsessive) fans. We'll be back in your feeds tomorrow with the weekly roundup. See pcm...
This episode delves into the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, focusing on the back-and-forth bombing and Israel's targets, including nuclear sites. It explores potential US military involvement, specifically the use of bunker-busting bombs, and how President Trump's stance has shifted. The discussion also highlights how the issue is creating divisions within the Republican Party, particularly among the MAGA base who supported Trump's isolationist stance.
Last week, President Trump suggested the agriculture industry might be spared from his immigration crackdown. But Tuesday, Homeland Security officials confirmed there would be no change to enforcement policy — and no workplace safe from potential raids. We look at what this means economically and politically. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edi...
Following the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers, NPR reporters discuss the alarming increase in politically motivated violence and harassment targeting public officials in the U.S. They explore who is being targeted, the role of religious extremism and specific rhetoric within movements like the extreme anti-abortion movement, and how once-fringe views are becoming normalized in mainstream politics. The episode also examines the disproportionate lethality of far-right violence and the impact on democracy.
This episode delves into Israel's recent strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, examining the timing, reasons, and potential for escalation. It explores the political implications for President Trump, who had been pursuing a diplomatic deal with Iran, and his complex relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The podcast also covers the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, including court rulings against federalizing the National Guard and the forcible removal of a U.S. senator from a press conference, discussing the political response and shifting public opinion. Finally, the episode wraps up with lighter "Can't Let It Go" segments on the NBA finals, a viral zebra rescue video, and a baseball mascot love triangle.
Roses are red, Violets are blue, Their politics are opposites — Could their love be true? New polling from NPR/PBS News/Marist suggests, for young people, probably not. They're more likely than other generations to consider differences in political opinions deal breakers when dating. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political reporter Elena Moore, and voting correspondent Miles Parks. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer ...
Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a vaccine advisory board this week. It's a move that's been roundly condemned by the public health community and cheered by Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" base. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and NPR health correspondent Will Stone. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Lexie Schapitl. Our executive producer is Muthoni ...
As protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles stretch into their fifth day, President Trump is doubling down on his decision to send national guard troops and U.S. marines to the city. That is setting up a clash between Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who's often seen as a 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and KQED political correspondent Guy Marzorati. This podc...
After a series of immigration raids in and around Los Angeles, protestors demonstrated against the actions & the broader immigration policies of the Trump administration. In response, the president federalized the California National Guard without asking state and local officials. The rare move has drawn strong criticism from California lawmakers. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman. This pod...
