The NPR Politics Podcast

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. 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

Episodes

ICE is keeping tabs on American citizens

March 10, 2026 • 17 mins
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 Jud...
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Poll: Most Americans oppose war in Iran, but most Republicans support it

March 9, 2026 • 24 mins
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 Pa...
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Justice Department releases missing Epstein files related to Trump

March 6, 2026 • 31 mins
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 seni...
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Why is the U.S. at war with Iran?

March 5, 2026 • 23 mins
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 produce...
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Runoffs, voting mishaps and Trump endorsements in TX and NC primaries

March 4, 2026 • 25 mins
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...
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Trump keeps teasing a federal election takeover

March 3, 2026 • 21 mins
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 podcas...
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What Trump says to expect of war in Iran

March 2, 2026 • 20 mins
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 w...
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U.S. and Israel strike Iran. Here's what we know

February 28, 2026 • 25 mins
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....
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Is the U.S. going to war with Iran?

February 27, 2026 • 30 mins
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...
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Why bipartisanship is disappearing from Congress

February 26, 2026 • 17 mins
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.

T...
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Is the FCC 'equal time' rule leading to media censorship — and self-censorship?

February 25, 2026 • 17 mins
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 corresp...
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Key takeaways from President Trump's State of the Union address

February 25, 2026 • 21 mins
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 Domeni...
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What to watch in the race for North Carolina's open Senate seat

February 23, 2026 • 17 mins
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 Bri...
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Supreme Court rules most of Trump’s tariffs are illegal

February 20, 2026 • 23 mins
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...
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Federal agencies under Trump have been using white nationalist messages

February 19, 2026 • 16 mins
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.

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Trump says his administration should pay him billions of dollars

February 18, 2026 • 12 mins
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,...
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What's the main thing in Maine's Senate race?

February 17, 2026 • 20 mins

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...

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Trump administration eliminates greenhouse gas regulations

February 16, 2026 • 16 mins
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 S...
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DHS funding set to expire as talks over immigration enforcement reforms stall

February 13, 2026 • 26 mins
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 corre...
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Trump wants a deal with Iran, but could military strikes be coming?

February 12, 2026 • 21 mins
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.

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