The NPR Politics Podcast

Mar 24 2025 1750 ep. 18 mins 112.9k

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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.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

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Sanders, AOC Rally To Motivate Democrats

Mar 24 2025 12 mins

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 C

Roundup: Potential Ukraine Ceasefire; Trump Attacks Judiciary

Mar 21 2025 24 mins

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, nati

How Trump's Tariffs Are Impacting U.S. Farmers

Mar 20 2025 15 mins

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 & Kell

Why Wisconsin's Supreme Court Election Matters Nationally

Mar 19 2025 11 mins

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 Wh

Dems In Disarray? Finding Unity In The Caucus

Mar 18 2025 15 mins

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 i

What Is The Alien Enemies Act?

Mar 17 2025 11 mins

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

Roundup: Shutdown Threat, Tariffs & Ukraine

Mar 14 2025 23 mins

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 Fra

Trump's Latest Efforts To Reduce The Federal Workforce

Mar 13 2025 14 mins

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 Fowle

Trump's Efforts To Consolidate Executive Branch Power

Mar 12 2025 17 mins

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 corresponden

Who Is Mahmoud Khalil, The Protester The Trump Admin Wants To Deport?

Mar 11 2025 10 mins

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 Un