The NPR Politics Podcast

Israel And Hamas Agree To First Phase Of Peace Deal

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal designed to end the war in Gaza. We discuss President Trump’s role in the negotiations tha...

Why Trump Says He Wants To Send The National Guard To Chicago And Portland

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has taken steps to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and to Portland, Oregon. We discuss how the administration justifies those ...

How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The federal government shutdown is in its seventh day, with negotiations on Capitol Hill over reopening the government at a stalemate. We discuss how ...

Unpacking The New Jersey And Virginia Races For Governor

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Voters in New Jersey and Virginia are casting their ballots in their states’ gubernatorial elections. We discuss the major issues at play and whethe...

Poll: Nearly 1 In 3 Say Political Violence May Be Necessary To Right The Country

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released this week finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans think political violence is a major problem, but ne...

Tick Tock For TikTok's Sale

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Congress ordered the social media app to be sold to U.S.-based investors, citing national security concerns related to TikTok's Chinese ownership. But...

No Budging From Congressional Leaders As Government Shutdown Begins

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wednesday marks the beginning of the first federal government shutdown since 2019, and negotiations between the leaders of both parties appear to be a...

White House Unveils 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a plan that could yield an end to the war in Gaza. But Hamas was not involved ...

Trump Administration Wants To Dismantle Federal Watchdog Agencies

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration has taken steps to effectively dismantle the Merit Systems Protection Board and the Office of Special Counsel, two agencies t...

James Comey Indicted On Charges Stemming From 2020 Congressional Testimony

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Thursday on charges stemming from his testimony before Congress in 2020. President Trump promised retribu...

Ignoring Scientific Evidence, Trump Blames Tylenol For Autism

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump suggested that Tylenol can cause autism and the drug leucovorin can treat it. We discuss what the science actually says and why the pr...

MAGA And Evangelical Christianity Converge At Kirk Memorial

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Kirk’s memorial service this past weekend put the convergence of the MAGA movement and evangelical Christianity on full display. We discuss ...

Western Allies Formally Recognize A Palestinian State. The U.S. Won't.

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump reiterated the U.S. had no plans to recognize a Palestinian state. It comes as many traditiona...

Congress Deadlocked As Possible Government Shutdown Looms

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Funding for the federal government runs out after September 30 unless Congress can pass a bill to prevent it. We discuss congressional leaders’ nego...

Sources & Methods: Trump's UK Visit, Gaza/Ukraine Tension

20 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're sharing another episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's bigge...

Federal Reserve Lowers Rates, But Less Than Trump Wants

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Reserve voted this week to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point. We discuss the factors behind the agency’s decision, as wel...

Why Did President Trump Order Strikes On Venezuelan Boats?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The United States has launched strikes on two Venezuelan boats this month. President Trump says the boats were smuggling drugs. We discuss that justif...

Republicans Declare 'War' On Liberals In Response To Kirk's Death

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the week since MAGA activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot, some Republicans have responded by declaring "war" on liberals. We discuss that and oth...

Law Enforcement Charge Alleged Shooter In Charlie Kirk Killing

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Utah law enforcement have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with seven counts related to the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. We discuss...

States Use Trump Administration Data System To Root Out Noncitizen Voters

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

States have run more than 33 million voters through the Trump administration’s recently updated SAVE data system, which is designed to check citizen...

Sources & Methods: Two wars escalate abroad, political violence at home

13 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're sharing another episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's bigge...

Suspect In Charlie Kirk Shooting Arrested

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Officials said Friday that they have arrested the person they believe shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday. We discuss what we...

How Charlie Kirk Shaped Conservative Politics

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University Wednesday. We discuss how the controversial Kirk shaped ...

Are Trump’s Immigration And Manufacturing Goals At Odds?

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A recent immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in Georgia led to the detention of nearly 500 workers, most of them South Korean nationa...

RFK Jr. Under Fire Following Vaccine Changes And CDC Shakeup

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Senators in both parties had harsh words for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a recent hearing. We discuss the health and political implicati...

President Trump Asks Supreme Court To Uphold Tariffs

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold his authority to issue tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. We di...

Sources & Methods: Navy cartel strike, China's power flex

06 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're sharing another episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's bigge...

Trump Administration Interpretation Of Civil Rights Act Reshapes Public Schools

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, but his administration is also using the department’s Office for Civil Rights...

Court Says Trump Can’t Use 18th-Century Law To Deport Venezuelan Immigrants

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A federal appeals court ruled this week that the Trump administration may not use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants without going ...

Trump Says D.C. Is Now ‘Crime Free.’ What’s The Reality?

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After nearly a month of federal law enforcement and military personnel patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., President Trump says the District i...

Why Aren’t More Young Republicans Running For Congress?

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Congress members have returned to Washington, as have partisan fights over Jeffrey Epstein and a possible government shutdown. We discuss what to expe...

Sources & Methods: Trump's DC takeover, Ukraine, fired spy chief

30 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're excited to share an episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's bi...

How Trump Is Remaking Culture To Fit His Worldview

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has made unprecedented moves to influence American culture, from taking broadcast corporations to court to his efforts to control the ...

Most GOP Congress Members Are Avoiding Town Halls, But One Held 15 In A Week

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most Republican members of Congress are shying away from holding town hall meetings, but Missouri Republican Mark Alford is bucking that trend. We dis...

Many Latinos Who Backed Trump Say They Won't Support Republicans Next Time

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many Latinos who voted for President Trump in the last election say they are disappointed or even regret voting for him, according to recent polling. ...

ICE Detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia Again

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who entered the United States illegally as a teen, was detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement...

Is The U.S. Economy Beginning To Show The Effects Of Trump's Policies?

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The United States is taking in roughly $30 billion a month in tariffs that cover a wide range of products. We discuss whether those tariffs have made ...

How Openly Partisan Gerrymandering Is Becoming Normalized

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump called on Texas Republicans to redraw their state's congressional maps to favor Republican candidates. In response, California voters ...

How The Trump Admin Uses Immigration Policy To Show Force

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As a candidate, Donald Trump campaigned on carrying out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. As president, he's used immigration policy as a ...

Trump Falsely Claims Mail Ballots Are "Corrupt," Calls For Their Prohibition

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The president also called for changing how ballots are tallied in elections. We unpack the president's claims, and discuss how presidential power is l...

Trump, European Leaders Meet To Discuss Ukraine

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the heels of meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska, President Trump invited various European leaders & Ukraine's president, Volodymyr ...

Why Is The National Guard Patrolling Streets In Washington, D.C.?

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has ordered Washington, D.C.'s National Guard to patrol the capital's streets, and members from other states' Guards are joining them....

Trump, Putin Meet In Alaska; No Deal On Ukraine Made

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a hastily arranged summit in Alaska, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met to discuss Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Although ...

What To Expect From The Trump-Putin Summit In Alaska

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian Presi...

Democrats Lean On Messages About Medicaid Cuts

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Democratic lawmakers have been spending Congress’ August recess talking about the Medicaid cuts in President Trump's newly passed tax and spending b...

Exclusive: FEMA Didn’t Sufficiently Staff Disaster Hotline After Texas Floods

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the days after disastrous floods tore through Texas Hill Country last month, tens of thousands of calls to a federal aid hotline went unanswered, a...

President Trump Asserts Federal Control Of Washington, D.C.

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump announced plans Monday to exercise more federal control over Washington, D.C., including by taking control of the city’s police depa...

Trump Administration Ignores The Experts As It Cancels $500 Million For Vaccines

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., cancelled $500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts this week. We discuss how the move follows ...

ICE Recalls Retired Federal Workers To Bolster Its Ranks

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is turning to retired federal workers as it tries to rapidly boost its ranks. We discuss the reasons behind the ag...

If Texas Redraws Its House Map, California Governor Says It Will, Too

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If Texas Republicans go through with their plan to redraw the state's congressional districts to give Republicans five more U.S. House seats, Californ...

Some 'Manosphere' Podcasters Who Backed Trump Are Turning From Him

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During the 2024 campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump went on several podcasts in the so-called "manosphere," in an effort to reach new voters. Now th...

Trump's new tariffs set to take effect this week, but much is uncertain

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The latest tariffs are due to take effect this week, but many of the details are still uncertain. We discuss what may be coming, why congressional Rep...

What Is MAGA Without Trump?

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The "Make America Great Again," or MAGA, movement stands for loyalty to President Trump above all else. We discuss what happens to the movement once T...

The Trump Administration Takes On Higher Ed

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration says it is investigating whether dozens of universities have violated civil rights protections. We discuss the allegations, u...

President Trump Changes His Tone On The Crisis In Gaza

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump, apparently moved by photos of malnourished children and people struggling to find food, has shifted the way he talks about the ongoin...

States Fight Federal Effort To Collect Personal Data Of Food Stamp Users

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A coalition of 21 states and Washington, D.C. is challenging the Trump administration's demands that states hand over the personal data of people who ...

Trump Administration Looks To Roll Back Some Benefits For DACA Recipients

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — for immigrants whose parents brought them illegally to the United States when they were childre...

Congress And Trump Play Tug-Of-War Over The 'Power Of The Purse'

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Congress recently passed — at the White House's request — a rescission package that cancels $9 billion in spending Congress had previously approve...

Trump's Attacks On Federal Reserve's Powell Could Bring Economic Pain

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump's attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell have been relentless. We discuss what it would mean if the United States no longer...

What Bove's Nomination Says About Trump's Future Judge Picks

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emil Bove has been behind many of the Justice Department's most controversial recent decisions, and now he's President Trump's nominee to the 3rd Circ...

Is There A Playbook For Young Democratic Candidates — And Does It Work?

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are at least 10 Democratic candidates younger than 40 vying for seats in Congress in next year's elections. We discuss what has been successful ...

Texas GOP Hopes to Redraw Congressional Map And Keep Control Of U.S. House

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New congressional districts are on the agenda for the special session that began in Texas on Monday. We discuss why Texas is redrawing its congression...

Weekly Roundup: Trump Attacks Media Over Epstein Story

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We review a busy week in Washington, including President Trump's response to a new report about his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epst...

Congress has voted to eliminate government funding for public media

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit d...

Trump Plows Ahead With Plans To Dismantle Department Of Education

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two dozen states are suing the Trump administration over its decision to withhold about $6 billion in federal education grants. And the Supreme Court ...

How The Trump Administration Is Amping Up Immigrant Deportations

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The big tax and spending bill President Trump signed into law earlier this month included $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the...

MAGA Turns On Trump Over Handling Of Jeffrey Epstein Files

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before taking office, President Trump promised to release the FBI's files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Now he is urging his supporters to s...

What Does The Federal Response To Texas Floods Indicate About FEMA's Future?

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has said he is considering eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. We discuss FEMA's role in helping Texas commu...

Trump Announces New Tariffs And Gets Supreme Court's OK On Layoff Plans

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court gave President Trump the green light to move forward with plans to lay off thousands of federal workers. We discuss the potential im...

Trump's Views On Russia-Ukraine War Are Shifting

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During the campaign, President Trump promised a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but he has so far not been able to strike a deal to stop the fighting...

The Justice Department Sues All The Federal Judges In Maryland

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Department of Justice has taken the rare step of suing all of the federal District Court judges in Maryland, after the Maryland court issued a 48-...

Inside Trump's Tax And Spending Law: Medicaid Cuts & A 'Backdoor Abortion Ban'

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump's new tax and spending law is expected to result in nearly 12 million Americans losing health insurance. Advocates say it also effecti...

How President Trump's Tax & Spending Law Will Affect Americans' Wallets

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has promised that his newly signed tax and spending law will be a boon for taxpayers and the economy as a whole. We dig into what the ...

One Of The Cheapest Ways To Save A Life Is Going Away

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From our friends at The Indicator from Planet Money: What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's E...

Congress Delivers Trump A Win With Tax And Spending Bill

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Congress narrowly passed President Trump's massive tax and spending bill this week. We discuss what the GOP victory could mean for the 2026 midterm el...

Poll: Most Americans Think Democracy Is Under Serious Threat

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most Americans are worried about democracy, have little faith in their political leaders, and disapprove of President Trump's job performance, accordi...

Senate Passes Trump Tax Cut, Spending Bill

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Vice President JD Vance had to break a 50-50 tie in the Senate in order for the bill to pass, after three Republicans joined with Democrats to vote ag...

Exclusive: The Trump Administration Is Building A National Citizenship Data System

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For decades, voting officials have noted that there was no national citizenship list to compare their state lists to, so to verify citizenship for the...

Weekly Roundup: Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that federal courts exceeded their authority by issuing a nationwide injunction on President Trump's birthright citizen...

How Trump Makes His Money, From Golf Courses To Crypto

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Trump Tower to Trump Steaks, President Trump's business ventures have always been about the Trump brand. What does that mean when the man behind ...

Under Pressure? Trump Faces Key Deadlines on Hill, Tariffs and More

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump is nearing a critical juncture for several of his top priorities. He wants Congress to pass his sweeping legislative agenda by July 4t...

Mission Accomplished? What We Know About The State of Iran's Nuclear Program.

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump and his Cabinet say Iran's nuclear program was "devastated," "obliterated," and "destroyed" by U.S. strikes this weekend. But the real...

Iran Retaliates After U.S. Military Strikes. Now What?

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Iran launched missile attacks on a U.S. Air Force base in Qatar following this weekend's U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. We break down what...

The U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites In Iran. Now What?

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. launched a military strike against nuclear sites in Iran, further involving itself in Israel's conflict with Iran. We look at what happened, ...

Will The U.S. Get Involved In Military Action With Iran?

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Israel and Iran continue to launch aerial assaults against each other, there are growing questions as to whether the U.S. will get involved in the ...

A Summer Treat: 'Weird Al' Yankovic On His Life & Career In Show Business

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

And now, a diversion from the news.When Weird Al's debut single, "My Bologna," came out, there wasn't really a model for how a parody artist could hav...

How Iran Is Dividing the MAGA Base

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Iran, President Trump is now signaling an openness for more U.S. military involvement. We discuss ...

How The Farm Industry Is Complicating Trump's Immigration Crackdown

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, President Trump suggested the agriculture industry might be spared from his immigration crackdown. But Tuesday, Homeland Security officials...

Political Violence In The U.S.

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers over the weekend, we look at what is motivating people to carry out acts of political violence, and wha...

Weekly Roundup: Israel vs. Iran, Immigration News, and A Mascot Love Triangle

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Israel launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, killing at least three of Iran's top military leaders. We look at why Israel took these actions ...

Love In The Time Of Politics

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Their politics are opposites — Could their love be true? New polling from NPR/PBS News/Marist suggests, for young p...

MAHA Cheers and Public Health Fears as RFK Ousts Vaccine Panel

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a vaccine advisory board this week. It's a move that's been roundly cond...

Trump vs. Newsom: Breaking Down the Politics of the L.A. Protests

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles stretch into their fifth day, President Trump is doubling down on his decision to send national g...

Protests In L.A. Over Trump's Immigration Policies

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a series of immigration raids in and around Los Angeles, protestors demonstrated against the actions & the broader immigration policies of the T...

Budget Battles & Conversations With China

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Negotiations over President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" continue on Capitol Hill — but now, his former ally, Elon Musk, is criticizing both the le...

Explaining Trump's New Travel Ban

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump issued a presidential proclamation Wednesday that bans citizens of 12 countries, and severely restricts citizens from seven others, fr...

Data Difficulty: How DOGE Could Hurt The Census And More

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump administration team that calls itself the Department of Government Efficiency has gathered a ton of data on people in the U.S. — often wit...

How President Trump's Pardons Are Challenging Political Norms

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The federal pardon power is one area where presidents have unchecked authority. President Trump is using that authority in ways that challenge long-st...

Explaining Trump's Fight With Big Law Firms

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has issued executive orders targeting certain law firms, seeking to restrict their business endeavors. While some firms have settled, ...

Tariff Twists; Diplomatic Deals; Mango Mania

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump's trade policies were dealt a blow this week as a court said he could use a 1977 emergency law to justify levying tariffs. What comes ...