The NPR Politics Podcast
Episodes
Congress Probably Won't Agree On Police Reform
25 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A day after Democrats blocked a Republican proposal in the Senate, they are set to pass a reform plan of their own in the House. Lawmakers appear pess...
U.S. Coronavirus Cases Holding Steady
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The United States isn't experiencing a second wave of the coronavirus—because the first wave never ended. While original hotspots of the outbreak, l...
Who Will Kentucky Pick To Face Mitch McConnell?
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Closely-watched congressional primaries in New York and Kentucky will test how well progressives fare in two very different parts of the country. And ...
Trump Fires Lawyer Who Prosecuted His Allies
22 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump has removed a top Justice Department official, Geoffrey Berman, whose office has overseen the prosecutions of several of the president...
Weekly Roundup: June 19th, 2020
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday, President Trump will hold his first campaign rally since the coronavirus pandemic seized the United States. The top pu...
In 5-4 Decision, Supreme Court Lets DACA Stand
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court has extended a life-support line to some 650,000 so-called "Dreamers" on Thursday, allowing them to remain safe from deportation. In...
NPR Analysis: Biden Has Early Edge On 2020 Political Map
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump is in a political hole and has a lot of ground to make up over the next five months if he hopes to win another term, an NPR analysis o...
What Trump's Policing Order Does (And Doesn't) Do
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday encouraging police departments to improve training — a step critics say falls short of what is ...
Supreme Court: LGBTQ Employment Discrimination Is Illegal
15 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The vote was 6-3 with conservatives Chief Justice John Roberts and Neil Gorsuch joining the court's four liberal justices in the majority. "In Title ...
It's Been a Minute: 'Not Just Another Protest'
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There is so much to unpack in this current moment. Sam has a candid conversation with Aunt Betty about how history has shaped her view of the current ...
The Ground Is Shifting In Trump's Culture War
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump and his campaign are sticking to culture war messaging even as some congressional Republicans cede ground on police reform as an incre...
The End Of Police In Minneapolis
11 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After one of the city's police officers killed George Floyd, a veto-proof majority of the Minneapolis city council has pledged to disband the city's p...
"Is that what a black man's worth? Twenty dollars?"
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Philonise Floyd, whose brother was killed by Minneapolis police, testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. The hearing, tied t...
President Trump Denies Systemic Racism In Policing. Most Americans Disagree.
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Joe Biden's campaign touted his plans for police reform, President Trump denied that there is a systemic problem with American policing; according ...
Democrats Want To Reform, Not Defund, Police
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Congressional Democrats on Monday unveiled the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which aims to install wide-ranging reforms for police departments acro...
Weekly Roundup: June 5th, 2020
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the country erupts in protests over police brutality and racism, two-thirds of Americans think President Trump has increased racial tensions. That ...
View from the Ground At Washington DC Protests; Misinformation Spreads Online
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Since the White House has increased its military in the nation's capital, more protesters are gathering by the day. The protests continue to remain la...
Congress Searches For How To Respond To Calls From Protesters
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Despite curfews imposed across the country, protesters continue to gather to demand action after the death of George Floyd. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi...
'He Thinks Division Helps Him': Biden Condemns Trump's Protest Response
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Former Vice President Joe Biden condemned both police violence and President Trump's increasingly confrontational response to widespread unrest in a T...
Trump Threatens To Deploy Military To States If They Don't Stop Violent Protests
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Escalating his rhetoric during a period of roiling national crises, President Trump on Monday threatened to deploy the U.S. military to cities or stat...
Trump Encourages Governors To 'Dominate' Protesters, Blames Democrats For Unrest
01 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump on Monday called governors weak and urged them to "dominate" to prevent further violent demonstrations following the death of George F...
Weekly Roundup: May 29th, 2020
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump responded to violent protests days after the killing of a black man. He said he will send in the National Guard, adding: "When the loo...
The Death Of George Floyd Sparks Outrage From Both Sides Of The Aisle
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department says it has made the investigation into George Floyd's death "a top priority," after furor over a video depicting a white polic...
Twitter Adds Warning To Trump's Tweets As He Spreads Misinformation
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Twitter has placed a fact-checking warning on a pair of tweets issued by President Trump in which he claims without evidence that mail-in ballots are ...
Trump Threatens To Move The Republican National Convention
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump has threatened to relocate the Republican National Convention, which has been scheduled to take place in Charlotte, N.C., in August. H...
Republicans And Democrats Battle Over The Future Of Voting
25 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus has reshaped how voting may happen for the 2020 elections, and Democrats and Republicans are battling in courts across the country try...
Weekly Roundup: May 22nd, 2020
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In an at-times tense exchange on the radio show Breakfast Club, former Vice President Joe Biden said, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you'...
Trump And Biden Wage An Uneven Virtual Campaign
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The president with a major social media presence is facing a Democratic challenger with fewer digital resources. Biden's strategy counts on real-world...
Democrats Think Prioritizing Health Care Will Give Them Wins In 2020
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hoping to build on the party's success in 2018, the Democratic Party will take aim at federal challengers who want to repeal Obamacare and state candi...
Senators Clash Over How Soon To Reopen The Economy
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Members of the Senate Banking Committee squabbled Tuesday over how quickly the U.S. economy can rebound from the coronavirus shutdown and whether the ...
Democrats Launch Probe Into Trump's Firing Of State Department Inspector General
18 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Congressional Democrats announced Saturday they're requesting all records and documents regarding President Trump's decision to fire State Department ...
Weekly Roundup: May 15th, 2020
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's roundup: Senator Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina, had his cell phone seized by the FBI as they investigate his stock trades ...
Ousted Scientist Warns Government Response Risks American Lives
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Career government scientist Rick Bright testified that he was pushed out as the head of a government medical research agency after pushing back agains...
House Democrats Push For Money For States In New Relief Bill
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
House Democrats plan to move forward with a $3 trillion bill for additional coronavirus relief, following up on the historic $2 trillion aid package p...
Nation's Top Health Officials Testify
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Public health needs continue to stymie lawmakers' hopes for an immediate economic reopening. The nation's top health experts appeared — virtually —...
Fauci In "Modified Quarantine"; CA Special Election Has Lessons For November
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After coming into contact with a White House staff member who tested positive for the coronavirus, Anthony Fauci and two other top officials from the ...
Weekly Roundup: May 8th, 2020
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After months of wrangling following the Russia probe, prosecutors will not go ahead with the case against Michael Flynn based on the former national s...
Supreme Court Firsts: Teleconferences, Livestreams, And A Toilet Flush
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court resumed oral arguments this week after a lengthy hiatus because of the pandemic. The high court heard arguments via teleconference, ...
Partisan Divide: Michigan, Texas Take Differing Approaches To Reopening
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As new confirmed cases decline in the state, Michigan has extended its stay-at-home order until May 15th. Texas is moving quickly toward reopening, an...
Trump Visits Mask Factory In Arizona, A 2020 Battleground
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In his first major trip during the outbreak, President Trump is in Arizona Tuesday touring a mask factory. The state is an important 2020 battleground...
Hill Leaders Turn Down Additional Tests For Lawmakers
04 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The top lawmakers on Capitol Hill, both up for reelection this year, denied the administration's offer of more testing for lawmakers. Many Americans r...
Weekly Roundup: May 1st, 2020
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Note: This podcast contains a frank discussion of an alleged sexual assault.In an appearance on MSNBC Friday morning, Joe Biden denied sexually assaul...
Treatment Research Continues As Phased Reopening Begins
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The original White House social distancing guidelines are lapsing, with a phased plan for reopening that delegates more control to states taking their...
Half Of Households Financially Impacted By Coronavirus. It Could Get Worse.
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fifty percent of Americans said they or someone in their household has either lost hours or a job because of the coronavirus, as the economy rapidly s...
WH Guidelines For Reopening Remain Vague So States Like Georgia Return To Work
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The White House has released guidelines for when and how states can begin reopening their economies, but the metrics are loose. Georgia's Governor Bri...
"Veepstakes": Joe Biden Begins Search for Vice Presidential Pick
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden has committed to selecting a woman as his running mate. Now that is the presumptive nominee, he's facing pressure from a number of camps in ...
Weekly Roundup: April 24th, 2020
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Doubts grow over the next phase of the coronavirus relief plan. And, the coronavirus outbreak has reshaped how top strategists are approaching congres...
Trump's Immigration Order Stops Far Short Of Total Ban
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Late Monday night, President Trump tweeted that he would sign an executive order suspending all immigration into the United States. The proclamation t...
Despite Protests, Most Americans Still Support Coronavirus Restrictions
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Demonstrations supported by national conservative groups have begun to spring up across the country. They are protesting the severe restrictions that ...
Another Half-Trillion: Senate Reaches Deal On Rescue Package
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The $484 billion bill is expected to approved by the Senate Tuesday afternoon. The largest component of the legislation, according to a summary obtain...
Former Staffer Accuses Joe Biden Of Sexual Assault
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Note: This podcast contains an explicit description of an alleged sexual assault.Tara Reade, a former junior staffer in Joe Biden's Senate office, has...
Weekly Roundup: April 17th, 2020
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The White House has now issued guidance about when communities can begin to reopen, a phased plan based on downward trends in positive cases. But for ...
Unemployment Claims Remain Sky-High, All But Undoing 10 Years Of Job Gains
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
5.2 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million — nearly wiping out all the job gains made ...
Trump, Governors Weigh How To Reopen Country
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump is impatient to get the country reopened. The administration's public health experts and the governors of California and New York say ...
Obama Endorses Biden For President—So What?
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden in a twelve-minute video shared online Tuesday morning. So what does the former president's endorsement mean in an ele...
Trump Promised Corporate Partnerships To Fight The Virus. They Haven't Materialized.
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rather than a sweeping national campaign of screening, drive-through sample collection and lab testing, NPR found a smattering of small pilot projects...
Weekly Roundup: April 10th, 2020
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a White House briefing Friday, the top medical experts from the coronavirus task force said the social distancing measures appeared to be constrain...
17 Million Americans Have Filed For Unemployment In The Last 3 Weeks
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits shot up again last week, as 6.6 million more people filed initial claims, and analysts expect the n...
Bernie Sanders Suspends Presidential Campaign
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a livestream announcing his exit from the presidential contest, Bernie Sanders told support that while there was no viable path forward for his cam...
Despite Health Risks, In-Person Voting Underway in Wisconsin
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After a protracted tug-of-war between the state's governor, legislature and Supreme Court, voting is underway in Wisconsin's primary election. Results...
White House: This Week Could Be Toughest Yet
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Deaths from the coronavirus outbreak are expected to spike this week in some of the country's hardest hit communities. President Trump breaks from his...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, April 3rd
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Democratic National Committee has agreed to push back their nominating convention until mid-August. Mike Bloomberg is facing lawsuits from former ...
Nearly Ten Million Americans Have Filed For Unemployment In The Last Two Weeks
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
More than six million people filed for unemployment last week, on top of the 3.3 million claims the week prior. Analysts project the share of American...
How Tennessee and Colorado Are Responding to Pandemic
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the White House warns the American public to expect 100 thousand or more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak, the administration is deferring to s...
Pandemic Opens A New Front In The Battle Over Abortion Access
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Should abortion count as an essential medical service during the coronavirus outbreak? States disagree, prompting court fights. And lawmakers differ o...
President Trump Extends Social Distancing Guidance Through April
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump is now asking Americans to stay at home through April, with some hints that the social distancing measures could last even longer. Eve...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, March 27
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A record number of Americans filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week as the coronavirus hammered the economy. It's nearly five ti...
Joe Biden, Retail Politician, Tries His Hand At Virtual Campaigning
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden has held a number of web-based campaign events and fundraisers now that the coronavirus outbreak has grounded his campaign. Early efforts we...
Senate and White House Announce Deal On Coronavirus Package
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell touted a bipartisan deal to provide emergency funds in response to the new coronavirus pandemic and committed t...
As Congress Closes In On A Deal, Trump Says He Wants To Open U.S. By Easter
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A Senate agreement on emergency funding to address the coronavirus could be "hours" away, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday, as Republicans and ...
Tempers Flare In Coronavirus Aid Negotiations
23 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As financial markets fall and case numbers soar, Congress has (so far) been unable to reach a deal on a major coronavirus aid package with an expected...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, March 20
20 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate is negotiating another aid package to address the coronavirus, one that would provide direct cash payments, loan guarantees for impacted bu...
White House Touts Coronavirus Treatments, As FDA Warns They May Be Months Away
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The White House gave a press conference Thursday afternoon touting potential new treatments for the coronavirus. The head of the Food and Drug Adminis...
President Trump Partly Shuts Border With Canada
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Defense Department said it would contribute to the coronavirus pandemic response with hospital ships, field treatment centers and medical supplies...
After More Primaries Biden Grows Lead As Coronavirus Reshapes Primary Calendar
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden now has secured more than half of delegates in the Democratic primary contest, making a Bernie Sanders comeback increasingly unlikely. Biden...
Trump: Avoid Gatherings Of More Than 10 People To Limit Contagion
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump gave a briefing on the coronavirus this afternoon in which he acknowledged that the coronavirus could cause disruptions for several mo...
Biden, Sanders Debate One-On-One As Coronavirus Upends The Race
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Former Vice President Joe Biden made big news, committing to have a woman as his running mate. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said it would be his "stron...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, March 13
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump declared a national emergency Friday afternoon amid growing concern about the coronavirus outbreak across the United States. The move,...
Pelosi Vows To Bring Coronavirus Bill To House Floor As Republicans Push For Changes
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will vote Thursday on a package of measures to address the coronavirus despite pushback from the top House Republi...
President Trump Issues New Travel Restrictions As Coronavirus Spreads
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In remarks from the Oval Office Wednesday night, President Trump announced actions aimed at curbing the spread and economic downfall of coronavirus, w...
Sanders Says He Is Winning 'Generational Debate,' Losing On 'Electability'
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Despite an underwhelming performance in yesterday's primary contests, Bernie Sanders says he remains a contender for the Democratic presidential nomin...
Joe Biden Wins Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi Primaries
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden's campaign momentum continued on Big Tuesday, with decisive wins in at least three of six primary elections. The results paint a grim pictur...
Stocks Fall Sharply Ahead Of "Big Tuesday" Primaries
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As financial markets reckon with another acute shock, a question for the White House resurfaces: will it take measures to stabilize the U.S. economy? ...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, March 6th
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the public continues to brace for the spread of the new coronavirus, President Trump has continued to spread misinformation about the disease. And ...
Elizabeth Warren Ends Her Campaign, Talks About Support from 'All Those Little Girls'
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren ended her bid for the presidency on Thursday, marking the end of a campaign that once rocketed Warren to front run...
Mike Bloomberg Drops Out; Demographics Of Biden's Supporters
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden's victories on Super Tuesday illustrated the importance of campaign momentum. He won in several states where he had little to no campaign in...
Super Tuesday: Biden's Surge Continues As Sanders Leads In California
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden topped the polls in eight states on Super Tuesday, including surprise wins in Minnesota and Massachusetts. Bernie Sanders lead in four state...
How They'll Win: Candidates Outline Path To Nomination Ahead of Super Tuesday
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our reporters have been following the Democratic presidential candidates all across the country for months. Ahead of Super Tuesday, we check in with t...
Joe Biden Wins Big In South Carolina. Now What?
01 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Associated Press has called the South Carolina primary race for former Vice President Joe Biden. It gives his campaign a much needed boost ahead o...
Weekly Roundup: February 28th
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
By some measures, this week was the stock market's worst since the 2008 financial crisis as traders worried about the market impacts of the new corona...
This Majority-Minority City Voted For Donald Trump
27 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As part of our Where Voters Are series, NPR's Ari Shapiro and Colorado Public Radio's Bente Birkeland share their reporting from Pueblo, Colorado.Over...
Here's How The U.S. Is Responding To Coronavirus
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
United States health officials delivered a clear message Tuesday: serious measures could be required to stem the new coronavirus. One top official des...
Bernie Sanders and Mike Bloomberg Face Debate Attacks
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a chaotic CBS debate in South Carolina, candidates of all stripes attacked Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders as he continues to pull away from the pac...
Candidates Jockey For Position As Sanders Alternative Ahead of Tuesday Debate
24 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Moderate presidential hopefuls face a collective action problem—each wants to see voters rally behind one alternative to Bernie Sanders, but (so far...
Bernie Sanders Projected to Win Nevada Caucus
23 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Senator Bernie Sanders is the projected winner of the Nevada caucus, according the Associated Press."In Nevada, we have just put together a multi-gene...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, February 21
21 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Nevada prepares for tomorrow's caucus, state party officials express confidence that it will run more smoothly than Iowa's caucus. Also, Vermont Se...
Bloomberg Faces Voters After Debate; Trump Ally Roger Stone Sentenced
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg hit the campaign trail in Salt Lake City, Utah today after a debate performance that some say left him br...
NPR Politics Live From Thousand Oaks, CA: Recapping The Democratic Debate
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special episode, recorded in front of a live audience at Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks, California. The cast recaps the ninth Democratic pr...
Michael Bloomberg Qualifies For Wednesday Debate As Sanders Secures Double-Digit Lead
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg will appear on Wednesday's debate stage in Nevada, after qualifying in this morning's NPR/PBS Newshour/Ma...
NPR's Throughline Presents: 'She Got Next'
17 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This President's Day we're bringing you a special episode from NPR's Throughline. It's a podcast that looks at the past in order to understand the pre...