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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

Some Roads To The White House Still Go Through Iowa

Republicans set Jan. 15, 2024, as the date for their Iowa caucuses, but candidates have already been camping out in the Hawkeye State trying to win hearts and minds. What messages are they sending, and are they resonating with the state's voters? This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, politics correspondent Susan Davis, and Iowa Public Radio lead political reporter Clay Masters. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive pro...

Jul 11, 202316 minTranscript available on Metacast

Businesses, Governments Clash Over How To Tackle Climate Change

Companies are making investment decisions based on environmental, social and corporate governance factors, also known as ESG. Those financial choices can include backing greener technologies, which rankles leaders in some Republican-led municipalities and states, who are skeptical of climate change. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, climate and corporations correspondent Michael Copley, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced ...

Jul 10, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

Government Mostly Can't Talk To Social Giants — That's A Problem

The government's ability to fight disinformation online has suffered a legal setback that experts say will have a chilling effect on communications between federal agencies and social media companies. A ruling by a federal district judge in Louisiana could have far-reaching consequences for the government's ability to work with Facebook and other social media giants to address false and misleading claims about COVID, vaccines, voting, and other issues that could undermine public health and erode...

Jul 07, 202325 minTranscript available on Metacast

With No Evidence Of Wrongdoing, House GOP Continues Biden Probes

There are a number of Republican investigations looking into President Biden and his son, Hunter, ongoing in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers say that they are under pressure from their base. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to...

Jul 06, 202315 minTranscript available on Metacast

Georgia Used Terrorism Law To Detain Activists Protesting Police

In Atlanta, dozens of activists who oppose a new police and fire training facility are being accused of domestic terrorism. That has alarmed civil liberties and human rights groups — and reignited a national discussion over policing. Protestors have alleged that law enforcement are targeting out-of-state visitors for arrest. In an interview on WANF-TV, Georgia's Attorney General Christopher Carr said "if you come to this state, engage in acts of violence to destroy infrastructure and property wi...

Jul 05, 202311 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mitch Landrieu, The Man Biden Hopes Can Rebuild America, Bring Broadband To Millions

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is a $1.2 trillion law meant to spur a massive infrastructure renewal and rebuilding program complete with new bridges, railroads and highways. It also allocates $65 million to expand internet access to all. Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans, is the man Biden tapped to make sure the massive job gets done. In this episode from Consider This from NPR , Scott Detrow speaks with Landrieu about the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides monthly...

Jul 04, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

What VP Kamala Harris Told Us About Their Post-SCOTUS Strategy

The administration sees outrage over Supreme Court rulings as a major force in animating their base voters ahead of next year's presidential election and the vice president has played a central role in the White House response. She spoke to NPR's Michel Martin about their strategy — and whether or not she's ready for the top job. This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House reporter Deepa Shivaram, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Th...

Jul 03, 202315 minTranscript available on Metacast

SCOTUS Allows Refusal Of LGBTQ Couples, Reinstates Student Debt

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that the First Amendment bars Colorado from "forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees." She did not want to make wedding websites for same-sex couples. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote: "Today, the Court, for the first time in its history, grants a business open to the public a constitutional right to refuse to serve members of a protected class." The high cour...

Jun 30, 202320 minTranscript available on Metacast

Supreme Court Ends Affirmative Action In College Admissions

The ruling included two cases. The case concerning the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was 6-3 along ideological lines; in the Harvard case, the vote was 6-2, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recusing. The decision reversed decades of precedent upheld over the years by narrow court majorities that included Republican-appointed justices. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg...

Jun 29, 202311 minTranscript available on Metacast

Has Russian Infighting Weakened Vladimir Putin?

After a Russian mercenary leader's forces marched toward Moscow Saturday over frustrations with Putin's top brass, the White House made clear the U.S. was not involved. The U.S. is set to provide more military aid to Ukraine as the war drags on. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and national security correspondent Greg Myre. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is...

Jun 28, 202314 minTranscript available on Metacast

Supreme Court Rejects Theory That Threatened Election Integrity

The court ruled that state constitutions can protect voting rights in federal elections and state courts can enforce those provisions. Three conservative joined with the court's liberal wing in a 6-to-3 decision. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, voting correspondent Hansi Lo Wang, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock access to this...

Jun 27, 202311 minTranscript available on Metacast

Will 2024 Republicans Support A National Ban On Abortion?

It has been a year since the Supreme Court sent the power to legislate abortion access back to the states — upsetting a majority of the American public and creating a political minefield for GOP presidential hopefuls. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is talking about it as often as it can. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and national political correspondent Sarah McCammon. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our...

Jun 26, 202312 minTranscript available on Metacast

Biden's Red Carpet For India's PM Sweeps Tensions Under The Rug

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is head of the world's largest democracy — but concerns over his human rights and freedom of speech records took a backseat to public celebrations of the country's relationship with the United States during his visit with President Biden this week. And it has been more than a decade since the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy was repealed, but thousands of people who were other than honorably discharged over their sexual orientation still don't h...

Jun 23, 202321 minTranscript available on Metacast

Republicans Dominate Florida — Can They Export That Success?

It used to be a swing state — but swelling numbers of conservative retirees and durable strength among Cuban-Americans have cemented Republican dominance in Florida's politics. Can the GOP export a winning political strategy to other states — or is their success based on unique circumstances? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, political correspondent Kelsey Snell, and national correspondent Greg Allen. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric Mc...

Jun 22, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

Abortion Access Remains Popular As Biden Preps New Initiatives

American voters, including the crucial swing demographic of women in small cities and suburbs, continue to express support for abortion access. That's according to new polling from NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock ac...

Jun 21, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

Hunter Biden Probe Continues After Tax And Gun Charges, DOJ Says

Hunter Biden, the president's son, has been charged with federal offenses related to his taxes and business dealings, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday. The younger Biden has agreed to plead guilty to two misdemeanor offenses related to his filing of federal income taxes. Federal authorities also charged him with a felony firearm offense, for which he agreed to enter a pretrial diversion agreement that allows him to avoid prosecution. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, sen...

Jun 20, 202311 minTranscript available on Metacast

Made In America? It's Trickier Than It Sounds.

Made in America. It may be a catchy political slogan, but it's a lot more complicated than it sounds. So many things we use everyday come from China. In 2018 - former President Donald Trump launched a trade war with the country, eventually slapping tariffs on more than 300 billion dollars worth of Chinese imports. Two and half years into the Biden presidency – those taxes are still here. To understand why, NPR's White House correspondent Asma Khalid spoke with policy makers, economists and even ...

Jun 19, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

Trump's Indictment Could Lock Up Primary, But Lock Out Presidency

A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll shows that after Donald Trump's historic indictment, 83 percent of Republicans think he should stay in the race — suggesting he could cruise to a decisive primary win in the crowded Republican field. But it's what comes next that should worry him: most folks outside of his base of Republican base are concerned about his behavior. And the Supreme Court leaves the Indian Child Welfare Act intact. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House corr...

Jun 16, 202323 minTranscript available on Metacast

Wages Up. Inflation Down. Strong Economy? Depends Who You Ask.

It is all in the numbers: the economy is doing really well. Workers are raises are outpacing inflation and unemployment is still near historic lows. But how people feel about it all is a messier, very political story. This episode: Justice reporter Deepa Shivaram, national political correspondent Mara Liasson, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlock acce...

Jun 15, 202312 minTranscript available on Metacast

They Want To Pitch Grand Plans — Instead They're Talking Trump

The big issues in the Republican presidential primary swirl around the fate of one man: Donald Trump. His primary opponents would love to sell voters on how they'd improve on President Biden's leadership — instead they have to answer whether they'd pardon the former leader of the free world. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Susan Davis, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is ...

Jun 14, 202315 minTranscript available on Metacast

No Major Violence In Miami As Trump Pleaded Not Guilty

The former president was greeted warmly by hundreds of supporters as he arrived at the courthouse to be processed and fingerprinted. He was not made to pay bond following his plea and his personal travel has not been restricted. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, justice reporter Deepa Shivaram, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Unlo...

Jun 13, 202312 minTranscript available on Metacast

Trump — Facing Federal Indictment — Is Greeted Like A Rock Star

Crowds in Georgia and North Carolina greeted the former president with tremendous enthusiasm, undeterred by the Justice Department's allegations that he endangered the country by hoarding state secrets at his Florida resort. Mindful of the need win over his supporters to secure the nomination, many of the president Republican primary opponents echoed his claims of political persecution. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor...

Jun 12, 202312 minTranscript available on Metacast

Donald Trump Charged With 37 Federal Crimes

Prosecutors say that the former president kept classified documents that he was no longer allowed to possess after leaving office and stored them in widely-accessible areas in his Florida club. He is set to appear in a Miami courtroom on Tuesday. And: upcoming Supreme Court decisions and a send-off for Scott Detrow, who is a new host at NPR's All Things Considered. This episode: White House correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice correspondent Carrie ...

Jun 10, 202328 minTranscript available on Metacast

SCOTUS Strikes Down Alabama Maps That Limit Black Voter Power

By a vote of 5-4, a coalition of liberal and conservative justices essentially upheld the court's 1986 decision requiring that in states where voting is racially polarized, the legislature must create the maximum number of majority-Black or near-majority-Black congressional districts, using traditional redistricting criteria. The surprise decisions could impact other states' maps as well. And House Republican hardliners using procedural fights to disrupt the work of the chamber, lashing out afte...

Jun 08, 202313 minTranscript available on Metacast

Mike Pence, Chris Christie Are Running — Can They Topple The Don?

Former vice president Mike Pence and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie were both early, key allies of Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential campaign. Now, they are both trying to end his political career and claim the GOP presidential nomination for themselves. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Kelsey Snell, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. O...

Jun 07, 202312 minTranscript available on Metacast

Who Should Decide What's Taught In Schools?

Schools remain a fixation of conservative political messaging. A new NPR-Ipsos poll asked teachers, parents of school-age children and the general public who should be responsible for setting curricula, what to make of book bans and how they view race and gender-focused lessons. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, education correspondent Cory Turner, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our ed...

Jun 06, 202316 minTranscript available on Metacast

Putting The 'Ex' In Texas? AG Ken Paxton Faces Permanent Removal

Texas' top law enforcement official, Attorney General Ken Paxton, has been removed — at least temporarily — from his post by fellow Republicans, following years of allegations concerning ethical lapses and criminal conduct. A final vote in the state senate will decide his fate. Republican lawmakers in the state are also working to change how elections are overseen in the Texas' largest county. Good governance advocates have raised concerns that the new rules could jeopardize election integrity i...

Jun 05, 202314 minTranscript available on Metacast

How A Beloved Anti-Voter Fraud Tool Fell Victim To Conspiracies

A rare bipartisan success story, the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, quietly helped to clean up voter rolls and catch fraud for nearly a decade — until it became the target of the far-right and a Trump allied lawyer. NPR Voting Correspondent Miles Parks and NPR's Investigations Team traced the secret meetings and grassroots pressure to dismantle an obscure elections tool — giving the election denial movement its biggest policy victory yet. To read the investigation, head her...

Jun 04, 202338 minTranscript available on Metacast

At Last, We Can Stop Writing "Debt Ceiling" In Our Headlines

President Biden is expected to sign the debt ceiling agreement into law as soon as Saturday, after bipartisan majorities in both chambers of Congress approved the legislation. But the manufactured crisis, brinkmanship and last-minute U-turn are not encouraging signs about the health of the American political system. And how conspiracy theories have undermined an effective voter fraud prevention tool. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisale...

Jun 02, 202323 minTranscript available on Metacast

Unpopular, Biden Keeps Notching Wins. Here's His Reelection Plan.

The early days of the campaign will be easier for Biden this time around: he's got all the advantages of incumbency, including a relative risk-free primary process. Here's a primer on his campaign leadership and how he's using the Democratic National Committee in an effort to win new states. This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez. The podcast is produced by Elena Moore and Casey Morell. Our editor ...

Jun 01, 202314 minTranscript available on Metacast