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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

22 Million Could Lose Healthcare Subsidies Next Month, Unless Congress Acts

The subsidies roughly 22 million Americans rely on to help pay for their health insurance are set to expire at the end of next month unless Congress votes to extend them. We discuss the debate on the Hill, and what would happen to the Affordable Care Act without the subsidies. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Bay...

Nov 17, 202517 min

House Releases 23,000 Pages Of Epstein Documents, Trump Calls It A ‘Hoax’

The House Oversight Committee has released 23,000 pages of documents from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We discuss what new information is in the documents and whether the release puts new political pressure on President Trump. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political reporter Stephen Fowler, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Mo...

Nov 14, 202528 min

Healthcare Subsidies Aren’t In The Deal To Reopen The Government. What Is?

The government shutdown is over, after Congress passed a deal Wednesday that funds the government through the end of January. The deal does not extend expiring health insurance subsidies, but it does include a provision allowing several Senate Republicans to sue the government for millions. We discuss what’s in the deal and what comes next. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor and correspondent Domen...

Nov 13, 202518 min

Could Democrats Be Leveling The Redistricting Playing Field?

The redistricting arms race continues, with several developments that may blunt President Trump's effort to advantage the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections. We also discuss a case before the Supreme Court that could alter how mail-in ballots are counted and an effort to reduce elections occurring in odd-numbered years. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and voting correspondent Miles Parks. This podcast was produced b...

Nov 12, 202521 min

Tucker Carlson Interview Ignites Debate Over Antisemitism Among Conservatives

A recent Tucker Carlson interview with far-right influencer Nick Fuentes has stirred controversy at the Heritage Foundation, a prominent right-leaning think tank. We discuss the fallout and the conservative movement’s struggles over how to handle right-wing figures who express antisemitic views. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morel...

Nov 11, 202518 min

Breaking Down The Deal To End The Government Shutdown

The Senate has advanced a plan to end the government shutdown, after a group of Democrats broke with leadership to vote for the deal. We discuss what’s in the deal and what to make of the politics of it. Can Democrats claim a win? This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, 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 i...

Nov 10, 202515 min

Takeaways From Democrats’ Election Wins Up And Down The Ballot

Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer, as well as what the Democratic and Republican parties can learn from this week’s election results. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, a...

Nov 07, 202528 min

Supreme Court Weighs Trump’s Tariffs And The Limits Of Presidential Power

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about whether President Trump overstepped the limits of his power when he implemented widespread tariffs to address trade deficits. We discuss what both sides argue and the potential ramifications of the court striking down the president’s tariff policy. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bri...

Nov 06, 202517 min

Democrats See Big Election Wins From California To New York City

Democrats secured major wins across various states, from gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey to a crucial redistricting measure in California and the New York City mayoral election. The results reveal strong Democratic enthusiasm and voter dissatisfaction with Trump's economic policies, challenging the Republican perception of owning the economy. Discussions also covered the complex role of Trump in energizing and hindering the GOP, and the varying successful strategies for Democrats from centrist to progressive candidates.

Nov 05, 202520 min

Four Races To Watch This Election Day

Tuesday is the last day voters in New Jersey and Virginia can cast ballots in their states’ gubernatorial races, as well as the end of voting in California’s redistricting ballot measure contest and New York City’s mayoral race. We discuss the big takeaways from each of those contests and what lessons they offer about the 2026 midterm elections. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenic...

Nov 04, 202517 min

Trade Deals, Red Carpets And A Gold Crown: Takeaways From Trump’s Asia Trip

President Trump recently returned from a week-long trip to Asia. We discuss the president’s speech to military troops in Japan, what came out of Trump’s highly watched meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, and the fact that all of this happened during a month-long federal government shutdown. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited ...

Nov 03, 202519 min

How Redistricting Could Reshape The Midterms (Live 10th Anniversary Special)

The NPR Politics Podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special live show. We discuss how unusual mid-decade redistricting efforts could alter the landscape for the midterms, as well as some of the major themes to watch as the election draws closer. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political rep...

Oct 31, 202545 min

Trump Promised To Designate Antifa A Terrorist Group. Why Does That Matter?

During a roundtable at the White House earlier this month, President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate antifa, the far-left movement opposing fascism, as a foreign terrorist organization. We discuss whether the Trump administration can legally do that, and even if it can’t, the significance of the president suggesting it. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcas...

Oct 29, 202518 min

Millions Of Americans Set To Lose Federal Food Aid Nov. 1 Due To Shutdown

Millions of Americans are set to lose federal food assistance on Nov. 1, unless lawmakers step in. We discuss how food banks are handling the imminent crisis and whether the deadline will push congressional leaders back to the negotiating table. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to ever...

Oct 28, 202518 min

How The Trump Administration Is Pressuring Universities To Fall In Line

The Trump administration has said universities that sign a compact agreeing to certain policy priorities will get preferential treatment when it comes to get federal funding. Though no schools have signed the agreement yet, some say they are in discussions with the administration about it. We discuss the compact and other tactics by an administration that has made reshaping higher education a priority. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, education correspondent Elissa Nadworny, and s...

Oct 27, 202515 min

Roundup: A Trade War With Canada, Inflation Ticks Up, And The Shutdown Persists

This week in Washington, President Trump halted trade talks with Canada, announced a private donation to help pay the military and authorized new sanctions on Russian oil. We discuss these developments, as well as how Trump uses his carefully cultivated image. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by ...

Oct 24, 202524 min

Trump Tears Down The White House East Wing To Build A Ballroom

The Trump administration broke ground this week on a new White House ballroom, demolishing the White House’s East Wing in the process. We discuss why the project is controversial and who is paying the $300 million bill. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Amazon and Google are financial supporters of NPR and Amazon pays to distribute some of our content. This podcast w...

Oct 23, 202518 min

Has Congress Ceded Power To The White House — And Can It Get It Back?

The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse and oversight over military actions, but recent actions by the White House appear to step on that authority. We discuss whether Congress has ceded its power to the Trump administration and what it would take to get it back. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, a...

Oct 22, 202512 min

The Health Insurance Fight Fueling The Government Shutdown

At the heart of the federal government shutdown is a fight on Capitol Hill over health insurance subsidies. We discuss the likely impact of not extending those subsidies past their expiration at the end of the year, plus how the government shutdown is forcing some family planning clinics to close. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin, and congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell &amp...

Oct 21, 202517 min

How The Sale Of A Voting Machine Company Could Affect 2026 Midterm Elections

Dominion Voting Systems, the election technology firm at the center of several election-related conspiracy theories in 2020, was sold this month and rebranded as Liberty Vote. We discuss the practical implications of the transformation and how it could affect the 2026 midterm elections. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and Colorado Public Radio reporter Bente Birkeland. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited...

Oct 20, 202514 min

Roundup: Bolton In Court, Zelenskyy In Washington, Military In The Caribbean

The Justice Department indicted former National Security Adviser John Bolton on charges related to mishandling classified information. Bolton was a vocal critic of President Trump, and his indictment comes on the heels of indictments of other Trump critics, James Comey and Letitia James. We discuss the case against Bolton as well as other major news in Washington this week. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez,...

Oct 17, 202524 min

The Financial Pressures Weighing On Young Rural Voters

Gen Z and millennial voters are a significant voting bloc — expected to account for more than half of eligible voters by the next presidential election. We discuss how the financial pressures weighing specifically on younger rural voters affects how and whether they vote. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rac...

Oct 16, 202517 min

How One Consequence Of The Government Shutdown May Mess Up More Than You Think

One task the federal government does a lot of is gathering data -- on prices, on the job market, and on a bunch of other things. When the government is shut down, those data aren't getting collected, and economic policy decisions based on those data aren't getting made with the full picture. We discuss why this aspect of the government shutdown has a broader impact than you might think. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior ...

Oct 15, 202515 min

Republicans Push Voting Restrictions On U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

Republicans, both in Congress and at the state level, are continuing a push to restrict voting by U.S. citizens living abroad. We discuss what those restrictions could look like and what they could mean for voters, including those who live in the country. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Hansi Lo Wang, and voting correspondent Miles Parks. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Mutho...

Oct 14, 202515 min

Trump Calls Cartels Terrorists. Is That Enough To Go To War?

From Consider This from NPR : Nearly a quarter century after the September 11th attacks, the Trump administration is using the language of terrorism to target a new enemy: Latin American drug cartels. The president says the U.S. is in armed conflict with drug cartels. Scott Detrow talks to a Bush-era lawyer who says the powers of war are too extraordinary to use against crime. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your pod...

Oct 13, 202510 min

Roundup: Indictments, Shutdowns, And Cats

The Justice Department indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James, an outspoken critic of President Trump, this week on allegations of fraud. It comes after the DOJ indicted another Trump critic, former FBI director James Comey, who was arraigned this week on charges alleging he lied to Congress. Then, we get an update on the government shutdown, and talk about a cat's wild ride. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, national jus...

Oct 10, 202527 min

Israel And Hamas Agree To First Phase Of Peace Deal

Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal designed to end the war in Gaza. We discuss President Trump’s role in the negotiations that brought about the deal and whether lasting peace could be on the horizon. This episode: voting and election security correspondent Miles Parks, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is...

Oct 09, 202518 min

Why Trump Says He Wants To Send The National Guard To Chicago And Portland

This episode delves into President Trump's controversial decision to deploy the National Guard to cities like Portland and Chicago, exploring his claims of "insurrection" and the legal basis for federalizing state troops. It also highlights the military's traditional apolitical stance, challenged by Trump's rhetoric and perceived political motivations. A contrasting model is presented through Albuquerque's consensual use of the Guard, which yielded positive results, while public opinion remains divided and community concerns about militarization persist.

Oct 08, 202518 min

How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services

The federal government shutdown is in its seventh day, with negotiations on Capitol Hill over reopening the government at a stalemate. We discuss how the shutdown is affecting federal workers and the services they keep running, as well as warnings by the White House that they will lay off workers as a result of the shutdown. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, and political reporter Stephen Fowler. This podcast was produced b...

Oct 07, 202516 min

Unpacking The New Jersey And Virginia Races For Governor

Voters in New Jersey and Virginia are casting their ballots in their states’ gubernatorial elections. We discuss the major issues at play and whether federal politics are affecting the races. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, WNYC senior reporter Nancy Solomon, and WAMU reporter Margaret Barthel. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen t...

Oct 06, 202518 min
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