President Trump’s pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, advanced past the Senate Homeland Security Committee, even after Mullin clashed with committee chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., at Wednesday’s hearing. We discuss what new leadership would mean for immigration enforcement operations. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Li...
Mar 19, 2026•19 min
President Trump says he won’t sign any legislation until Congress passes the “SAVE America Act,” legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote. The Senate narrowly voted Tuesday to allow debate on the bill. We discuss the measure’s prospects and why the president is digging in on this issue. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited...
Mar 18, 2026•22 min
It’s Primary Day in Illinois, where 15 Democrats, spanning three generations, are vying to succeed longtime Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in the state's 9th Congressional District. We discuss what the race tells us about the future of the Democratic Party. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. ...
Mar 17, 2026•23 min
There have been three incidents of political violence in the last two weeks — an attack on a synagogue in Michigan, a shooting at Old Dominion University and an attempted attack on anti-Muslim protesters outside the New York City mayor's residence. We discuss whether there are any common threads among these attacks and what role leaders can play in lowering the rhetorical temperature. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef, and...
Mar 16, 2026•19 min
It was another busy week in the world of politics. We discuss record turnout among Democrats in Texas’ Senate primary, long airport security lines due to the partial government shutdown, and South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn’s decision to run for reelection at 85 years old. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, a...
Mar 13, 2026•28 min
NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 swing voters from Michigan. We discuss their thoughts on the war in Iran and what they wish President Trump would focus on. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-fre...
Mar 12, 2026•18 min
The United States’ war in Iran is roiling global oil markets. We discuss how that affects the American economy — not just at the gas pump — and how those economic challenges are playing in this year’s elections. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley, 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 is Muthoni Muturi. Li...
Mar 11, 2026•20 min
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been using a variety of tools to keep tabs on not just immigrants the agency intends to deport but also U.S. citizens who publicly oppose the agency’s tactics. We discuss what that surveillance looks like and what the impact is for people whose activity the agency has tracked. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, reporter Kat Lonsdorf, and power and influence reporter Jude Joffe-Block. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, an...
Mar 10, 2026•17 min
A majority of Americans oppose the United States' military action in Iran, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll . However, that opposition breaks down along party lines, with a majority of Republicans saying they support the war. We discuss whether the lack of public support could alter President Trump's next steps and how the war could affect this year's midterm elections. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political ...
Mar 09, 2026•24 min
It was another busy week in Washington. We discuss Kristi Noem getting fired from her position as Secretary of Homeland Security and the new release of missing Epstein files related to President Trump. Note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, political reporter Stephen Fowler and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced b...
Mar 06, 2026•31 min
In less than a week, the Trump administration's justifications for the war in Iran have already changed several times, as have the administration's goals for what it wants to accomplish. We discuss both, plus what could come next. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Mutu...
Mar 05, 2026•24 min
The results are in from the first primaries of the midterm election cycle, and Senate races are starting to take shape. We discuss key takeaways from primary contests in North Carolina and Texas. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, 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 is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to ev...
Mar 04, 2026•26 min
President Trump continues to suggest the federal government should take control over how elections are run. We discuss what he has said about the ways he could do that, whether those tactics are legal, and the impact of the president even suggesting it. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our execu...
Mar 03, 2026•22 min
The United States is now at war with Iran. President Trump says to expect the conflict to last four to five weeks and more American casualties. We discuss what else the administration has signaled about the war and how it could affect domestic politics. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executiv...
Mar 02, 2026•20 min
From the NPR podcast Sources and Methods : Overnight, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran. The strikes targeted Iran’s top leaders, Supreme Leader Khamanei and President Masoud Pezeshkian — trying to kill them, according to a person briefed on Israel’s operation who spoke to NPR. Iran has responded by lobbing missiles at Israel and other countries in the region that host U.S. troops. Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Greg Myre, NPR national security correspondent...
Feb 28, 2026•25 min
The United States has not yet reached a deal with Iran over that country's nuclear program, despite continued talks this week. We discuss what the Trump administration hopes to achieve and what kind of military action could be on the horizon. We also discuss the United States’ role in the war in Ukraine as the conflict enters a fifth year. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. This podcast was prod...
Feb 27, 2026•30 min
The nationwide push to redraw congressional districts mid-decade has not led to a big advantage for either political party, but it has created less competitive districts. We discuss how that reduces bipartisanship on Capitol Hill, and we discuss one lawmaker who seems to buck that trend. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye....
Feb 26, 2026•17 min
The Federal Communications Commission is investigating ABC over its show The View 's airing of an interview with a Texas politician. Stephen Colbert moved his interview with the same candidate off broadcast, all because of the FCC’s "equal time" rule. We discuss the rule, possible changes to it, and how it could all affect the way Americans get their information. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, media correspondent David Folkenflik, and senior political editor and correspondent Do...
Feb 25, 2026•17 min
President Trump delivered his first State of the Union address of his second term Tuesday night. We break down what he said, what his political messaging was, and how it previews the administration's goals through the midterm elections. We also analyze how the Democrats responded. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson...
Feb 25, 2026•21 min
North Carolina’s primary election is next week, and early voting is already underway. We discuss what to watch in the race for the state's open Senate seat and a competitive Democratic primary in the state's 4th congressional district. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Liste...
Feb 23, 2026•18 min
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose sweeping global tariffs. We discuss President Trump’s reaction to the decision and what comes next for his tariffs. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and All Things Considered host Scott Detrow. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by ...
Feb 20, 2026•23 min
Federal government agencies have repeatedly invoked white nationalist language and images in the year since President Trump returned to the White House for his second term. We discuss the intended target of those messages and what effects they have. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye...
Feb 19, 2026•16 min
President Trump has filed legal claims against the U.S. government and says he should be paid billions of dollars in damages. We discuss the significance of these claims and how Trump uses lawsuits as political tools. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to ever...
Feb 18, 2026•12 min
Democrats see Maine as one of their best chances to flip a Republican senate seat in this autumn's midterm elections. We look at Democrats vying to replace Sen. Susan Collins, as well as Collins' chances at winning another term in office. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and Maine Public correspondent Kevin Miller. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muth...
Feb 17, 2026•20 min
The Trump administration has rescinded the Environmental Protection Agency’s “endangerment finding,” the scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions harm the public. We discuss what’s behind the change and what it could mean for Americans. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, climate correspondent Jeff Brady, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to...
Feb 16, 2026•17 min
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is set to expire at the end of the day Friday, after congressional leaders’ negotiations over reforms to immigration enforcement operations stalled. We discuss what a shutdown of the department means in practical terms, plus what we learned when immigration agency leaders testified before Congress this week. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustil...
Feb 13, 2026•27 min
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump this week to discuss the United States’ ongoing talks with Iran over that country’s military capabilities. We discuss what each side wants and possible next steps, plus the latest in the efforts for peace in Gaza. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Bay...
Feb 12, 2026•22 min
NPR reporters observed focus groups of 14 swing voters from Arizona. We discuss how they feel about federal immigration enforcement tactics and what about the economy worries them. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podc...
Feb 11, 2026•16 min
Texas Sen. John Cornyn, running for his fifth term, is locked in a competitive Republican primary contest. Meanwhile, some Democrats think they can flip the seat, electing a Democrat to represent Texas in the Senate for the first time since 1988. We discuss what to watch in the heated primaries as voters begin casting their ballots next week. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and Houston Public Media senior reporter Andrew Schneider. This podca...
Feb 10, 2026•20 min
Beginning in March, voters will start picking their preferred candidates to run for House and Senate races throughout the country. With a record number of incumbents retiring, we look at what seats are especially competitive & the issues that might play big roles in how voters make up their minds. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey ...
Feb 09, 2026•23 min
