The NPR Politics Podcast
Episodes
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, August 8
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump visited survivors of the shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas on Wednesday, to mixed reception. The team discusses what the pr...
'Hate Has No Place' In America, Trump Says After Deadly Shootings
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump responded to the deadly weekend shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. He condemned white supremacy and called for the death pe...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, August 1
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Senate on Thursday approved a two-year budget deal that set new spending levels and boosted the nation's borrowing authority. Plus, the Senate con...
The 2nd Democratic Debates: Night 2 Takeaways
01 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
CNN hosted the second Democratic presidential debates, which was split into two nights because the sheer number of candidates running. In the second n...
The 2nd Democratic Debates: Night 1 Takeaways
31 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
CNN hosted the second Democratic presidential debates, which was split into two nights because the sheer number of candidates running. In the first ni...
The 2nd Democratic Presidential Debates: What You Should Watch For
29 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On Tuesday and Wednesday night twenty candidates will debate for the second time in the 2020 election. While they are all vying for the Democratic nom...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, July 25
25 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This week Senator Cory Booker and former Vice President Joe Biden clashed over criminal justice reform. Plus, the Federal Trade Commission slapped a $...
Special Counsel Robert Mueller Testifies Before Congress
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Former special counsel Robert Mueller didn't want to appear in Wednesday's hearings, but lawmakers insisted that he tell his story in public to the Ho...
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg To NPR: "I Am Very Much Alive"
24 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told NPR's Nina Totenberg in an interview that despite battling cancer for a third time earlier this year, s...
On The Trail With Julián Castro
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, The NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. This episode Scott Detrow...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, July 18
18 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump continued his attacks against four freshman Democratic congresswomen at a campaign rally in Greenville, N.C., on Wednesday, with the c...
President Trump Defends His Racist Tweets Attacking Democratic Congresswomen
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A day after a series of tweets using racist language to describe Democratic congresswomen, President Trump said the four members of Congress should ap...
On The Trail With Amy Klobuchar
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, the NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. In this episode, Tamara K...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, July 11
12 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump announced Thursday he would sign an executive order to obtain data about the U.S. citizenship and noncitizenship status of everyone li...
Labor Secretary Alex Acosta Defends His Handling Of Jeffrey Epstein Plea Deal
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Labor Secretary Alex Acosta defended a 2008 plea agreement he oversaw as a U.S. attorney in Florida in which multimillionaire and accused sex traffick...
On The Trail With Tulsi Gabbard
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, The NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. In this episode, Tamara K...
Weekly Roundup: Wednesday, July 3
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump's decision to deliver a speech from the Lincoln Memorial and add flyovers and tanks is prompting Democrats to say he's turning Fourth ...
On The Trail With Bernie Sanders
01 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, the NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. In this episode, Scott De...
The 1st Democratic Debates: Night 2 Takeaways
28 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
NBC hosted the first Democratic presidential debates, which was split into two nights because of the sheer number of candidates running. In the second...
Supreme Court Leaves Citizenship Question Blocked; Allows Partisan Gerrymandering
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump says he is looking into delaying the 2020 census, hours after the Supreme Court decided to keep a question about citizenship off the f...
The 1st Democratic Debates: Night 1 Takeaways
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
NBC hosted the first Democratic presidential debate, which was split into two nights because of the sheer number of candidates running. In the first n...
The 1st Democratic Presidential Debates: What You Should Watch For
24 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On Wednesday and Thursday night twenty candidates will debate for the first time in the 2020 election. While they are all vying for the Democratic nom...
Trump Says U.S. Was 'Cocked And Loaded' Before He Called Off Strike On Iran
21 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump confirmed that he approved a strike on Iran on Thursday after it shot down a U.S. drone but called off the operation after the initial...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, June 20
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Former Vice President Joe Biden isn't backing down from his comments recalling the "civility" of his working relationships with two segregationist law...
President Trump Officially Launches His 2020 Reelection Bid
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump officially launched his 2020 reelection bid on Tuesday at a massive rally in Orlando, though much of the event picked up where his 201...
On The Trail With Steve Bullock
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, The NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. This episode Scott Detrow...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, June 13
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump says he might be open to taking information from a foreign government in a future election, calling it a part of politics. But the law...
On The Trail With Kamala Harris
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, the NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. In this episode, Scott De...
House Votes To Let Its Leaders Pursue Contempt Lawsuits In Trump Inquiries
11 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The House has authorized its committee leaders to pursue civil contempt cases to get information for their myriad investigations into President Trump....
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, June 6
06 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump is threatening to place tariffs on Mexico to try to stop the flow of migrants across the border, but Congressional Republicans questio...
How Did Mitch McConnell Become One Of The Most Powerful People In The World?
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mitch McConnell has been described as "opaque," "drab," and even "dull." He is one of the least popular - and most polarizing - politicians in the cou...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, May 30
31 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump responded to special counsel Robert Mueller's statement and the team discusses the politics surrounding calls for impeachment proceedi...
Robert Mueller, Long Silent, Speaks — Then Says It Was His Final Word
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mueller addressed reporters at the Justice Department in his first public statement since taking over the Russia investigation, ending two years of ne...
On The Trail With Kirsten Gillibrand
29 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series, The NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. In this episode, Tamara K...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, May 23
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A growing number of states are passing laws banning abortion in the early stages of pregnancy. The team talks about the politics surrounding the issue...
Trump Scorches Democrats As Pelosi Broaches Prospect Of 'Impeachable Offense'
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Negotiations over a potential infrastructure program fizzled on Wednesday as a White House meeting between President Trump and Democrats escalated int...
On The Trail With Pete Buttigieg
21 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series the NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. This episode Tamara Keith ...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, May 16
16 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump gave a speech where he unveiled an immigration plan that calls for a dramatic change to the legal immigration system in the United Sta...
On The Trail With Cory Booker
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an ongoing series the NPR Politics Podcast is hitting the road and interviewing 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. This episode Scott Detrow ...
Everything You Need To Know About Polls
13 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Not all polls are created equal. The team breaks down what makes a good poll, how much they should be relied on and what they're saying right now abou...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, May 9
09 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The White House and Congress continue their standoff over whether or not members of the Trump administration will testify before committees. Plus, to ...
2020 Update: Trump Woos Big Donors He Spurned In 2016; Dems Address "Electability"
07 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Trump 2020 campaign is making a new effort to bring in fundraising help from establishment Republicans who sat out 2016. Plus, while Joe Biden mak...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, May 2
02 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Attorney General William did not show up to testify before the House on Thursday setting up a potential showdown over constitutional powers betwee...
Attorney General Barr Defends His Handling Of The Mueller Report To Congress
01 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On Wednesday, Attorney General William Barr defended his handling of the final stages of the inquiry in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that unde...
NPR Politics Live From Philadelphia: The Road To 2020
27 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Friday, April 26th. The cast he...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, April 25
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After months of oscillating speculation former Vice President Joe Biden has announced that he will run for president in 2020. Plus, Democrats subpoena...
Supreme Court Appears To Lean Toward Allowing Census Citizenship Question
23 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court is weighing whether the Trump administration can include a citizenship question on the 2020 census. This episode: White House corres...
Democrats And Republicans Pivot After The Mueller Report
19 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A day after the release of the redacted Mueller report Democrats and Republicans are treating the findings as a "choose your own adventure" as they us...
Key Findings And Analysis From The Mueller Report
19 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The 448-page document, released after a nearly two-year-long inquiry, says Mueller's investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign "conspire...
2020 Opening Arguments: Andrew Yang, John Delaney, & Jay Inslee
16 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes exclusive interviews with the 2020 Democratic candidates. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, former Congressman John Delaney,...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, April 11
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department announced Thursday that it is charging Julian Assange, setting the stage for a historic legal showdown with the controversial f...
Trump Says He Wants To Go "Tougher" On Immigration; Shakes Up DHS Leadership
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen is leaving her post, President Trump announced as he continues to focus on restricting border crossing...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, April 4
04 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode: President Trump is backing down from his threat to shut down the U.S. Southern border .Trump had issued the warning in a bid to curtail ...
2020 Update: First Quarter Fundraising, What The Numbers Tell Us And What They Don't
03 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The first quarter for campaign fundraising ended March 31 and although campaigns aren't required to report their totals to the Federal Election Commis...
Woman Accuses Biden Of Unwanted Touching; He Didn't Intend To Be Inappropriate
01 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Former Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday responded to allegations that he acted inappropriately when he kissed the back of a former Nevada Democratic...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, March 28
28 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's been four days since Attorney General Bill Barr delivered his summary of the special counsel's report to Congress. How are Democrats and Republic...
2020 Opening Arguments: Howard Schultz, Kirsten Gillibrand, & Tulsi Gabbard
27 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes exclusive interviews with the 2020 Democratic candidates. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Senator Kirsten Gilli...
Mueller Report Doesn't Find Russian Collusion, But Can't 'Exonerate' On Obstruction
25 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Special counsel Robert Mueller did not find evidence that President Trump's campaign conspired with Russia to influence the 2016 election, according t...
Robert Mueller Concludes The Russia Probe, Submits Report To The Attorney General
23 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Attorney General William Barr received a report on Friday by special counsel Robert Mueller about the findings from Mueller's investigation into the R...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, March 21
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Democratic presidential hopefuls are betting on bold ideas like abolishing the electoral college, but what would that actually mean? Plus, the candida...
2020 Opening Arguments: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, & Amy Klobuchar
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of two episodes The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes exclusive interviews with the 2020 Democratic candidates. Senators Bernie Sanders, Eli...
2020 Opening Arguments: Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, & Pete Buttigieg
18 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of two episodes The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes exclusive interviews with the 2020 Democratic candidates. Senator Kamala Harris, Senato...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, March 14
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Beto O'Rourke announces that he will run for president. Plus, the Senate votes to block Trump's national emergency declaration that would give him the...
Manafort Sentenced To 3.5 More Years; Pelosi Says Impeachment Is "Just Not Worth It"
13 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Manafort received a total sentence of about 7 and a half years in prison on Wednesday following the guilty plea in his Washington, D.C., conspira...
2020 Update: Biden Speaks As 2020 Decision Nears; Candidates Target Big Tech at SXSW
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Former Vice President Joe Biden addressed a friendly crowd of union firefighters as he appears on the verge of launching a campaign for the 2020 Democ...
NPR Politics Live From Atlanta: The Road To 2020
09 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is a special episode, recorded in front of a live audience at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta on Friday, March 9th. The cast breaks down everythi...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, March 7
08 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Manafort was sentenced to 47 months in prison. House Democrats vote on a resolution that both does and does not publicly rebuke one of their memb...
House Judiciary Launches Probe Of Allegations Of Obstruction By President Trump
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The House Judiciary Committee launched a broad investigation into President Trump's inner circle Monday, targeting figures who have worked in his admi...
Weekly Roundup: Friday, March 1
01 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. Elijah Cummings said he would intensify his efforts to investigate the Trump administration after The New York Times reported that the president ...
Trump And Kim's Second Nuclear Summit Ends With No Deal
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left their summit meeting on Thursday in Hanoi, Vietnam, without agreeing on a denuclearization de...
Michael Cohen Testifies Against Trump In Public Hearing
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The president's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified before the House oversight committee. Cohen provided members of Congress what he said were doc...
New Election Called In North Carolina Congressional Race
22 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After months of insisting that he knew of no illegal activity being done on behalf of his campaign, Republican Mark Harris, who leads the race for Nor...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, February 21
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
New reports suggest that the Russia Investigation could end soon, so what happens when Robert Mueller finishes his work? Plus, the House Oversight Com...
2020 Update: Bernie Sanders Launches Presidential Campaign
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent, became an ideological leader in the Democratic Party after his 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. He face...
Trump Declares National Emergency To Help Fund Southern Border Wall
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Calling it "a great thing to do," President Trump declared a national emergency on Friday in order to help finance a long-promised wall on the U.S.-Me...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, February 14
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the year since the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, how have attitudes about gun control shifted, and what legislation has been...
Lawmakers Reach Deal On Border Security, But Trump Says He Isn't Happy
12 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump said Tuesday he's not "happy" with a potential budget deal being worked out by congressional negotiators but added that he doesn't thi...
2020 Update: Candidates Differ On How They Will Or Will Not Take On Trump
11 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren officially announce they are running for president, the Democratic hopefuls are trying to prove they ar...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, February 7
08 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump tests out potential campaign slogans in his State Of The Union address. Plus, Democrats are struggling with how to address issues of s...
President Trump Delivers State Of The Union Address
06 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump delivered his second state of the union address before Congress and set out his policy goals for the year. Plus the response from Demo...
Gov. Northam Resists Resignation; State Of The Union Preview
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia is resisting calls for his resignation despite continuing controversy of a photo in his medical school yearbook and acc...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, January 31
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sen. Kamala Harris stakes out a big position on health care as former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz considers a presidential bid as an independent cand...
Trump Adviser Roger Stone Pleads Not Guilty; Acting AG Says Russia Probe May End Soon
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Republican political consultant Roger Stone pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday to obstruction and other charges unsealed last week. Plus, ...
Trump Adviser Roger Stone Indicted In Russia Probe; Trump Agrees To End The Shutdown
26 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Roger Stone was arrested on Friday after being indicted on seven counts including obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements in connec...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, January 24
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump concedes to Speaker Pelosi and delays his annual State Of The Union address. Plus, with two Senate bills aimed at opening the governme...
Democrats Reject Trump's Border Wall Proposal; More Dems Enter 2020 Race
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With negotiations over reopening the government at a standstill, President Trump offered to back temporary protections for some immigrants brought to ...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, January 17
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The showdown over the government shutdown makes little headway as Trump's support from his base wanes. Plus, more names have been added to the list of...
Senators Push Trump's Attorney General Pick On Impartiality
16 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump's choice to lead the Justice Department, William Barr, took questions from lawmakers Tuesday, with the central one being whether Barr ...
Trump, Following Explosive News Reports, Denies He Worked For Russia
14 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump on Monday denied that he has been trying to conceal details about his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin after a pair o...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, January 10
11 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump says he is willing to declare a national emergency if Democrats don't go along with his demands for $5.7 billion for a border wall. Pl...
President Trump Argues For A Border Wall In Oval Office Address
09 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
President Trump made his case to the American people Tuesday night for why a massive wall along the Mexican border is necessary, using his first Oval ...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, January 3
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Nancy Pelosi is again speaker of the House, as Democrats retook control of the chamber for the first time in eight years, bringing divided government ...
President Trump & Congressional Leaders Meet To Discuss Border Security Funding
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A closed-door briefing for congressional leaders in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday failed to resolve any issues between Democrats and the...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, December 27
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
**CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this episode stated that, upon arrival in Iraq, President Trump received a standing ovati...
The Best Political Music Of 2018
23 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a year full of news, one line in the Aug. 23 episode of the NPR Politics Podcast spurred the most comments from our listeners. "You can't find good...
Government Shuts Down Over Stalemate On Border Wall Funding
22 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A partial shutdown of the federal government began just after midnight Saturday, after Congress and President Trump were unable to resolve an impasse ...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, December 20
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is stepping down after a slow freeze-out by President Trump. The federal government inches closer to a shutdown after Pre...
Federal Judge Delays Michael Flynn's Sentencing; Trump Foundation To Dissolve
18 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A federal judge delayed sentencing former national security adviser Michael Flynn on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to lying to investigators about h...
Judge Calls The Affordable Care Act Unconstitutional; More White House Staff Shakeups
17 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A federal judge in Texas issued a ruling Friday declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, apparently setting the stage for another hearing o...
Weekly Roundup: Thursday, December 13
14 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Congress accomplished a lot of work on bipartisanship legislation this week. First they passed a bill to address sexual harassment in the House and Se...