The NPR Politics Podcast
Episodes
Donald Trump's First Criminal Trial Begins In New York
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trump faces 34 felony counts alleging that he falsified New York business records in order to conceal damaging information to influence the 2016 presi...
Weekly Roundup: Biden Actions On Guns, Student Loans
12 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Biden administration unveiled new, targeted student debt forgiveness and new regulations on gun sales this week. The maneuvers appear targeted to ...
Understanding The County That Went For Obama, Trump, And Biden
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Erie, Pa., supported Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections, Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. What makes the county such a reliable be...
The Alabama Election At The Heart Of The Voting Rights Fight
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We go deep on Alabama's second congressional district ahead of a primary runoff there next week. The Supreme Court forced the state to redraw its cong...
What To Know About Trump's Abortion Policy
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said Monday that abortion access was a state issue and that he supports access in the case of rape, in...
Congress Is Back And As Messy As Ever
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Congress is headed back to Washington. With funding deadlines in the review mirror, they are turning their attention to foreign military aid. But Repu...
Roundup: Biden Calls Bibi; New Poll
05 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a call Thursday to Israel's prime minister, President Biden told Benjamin Netanyahu the U.S. needed to see more humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza ...
The Latino & Asian American Voter Registration Gap
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a pivotal election year, U.S. democracy continues to face a persistent challenge among the country's electorate — gaps in voter registration rate...
How Israel's War In Gaza Impacts Congressional Races
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza enters its sixth month, Democratic members of Congress who are part of "the Squad" and have criticized Israel's act...
How Florida's Abortion Vote May Impact The Presidential Race
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a pair of decisions Monday, Florida's supreme court ruled the state's six-week abortion ban could go into effect in May, and that voters would have...
U.S. Investigations Into War Crimes Can Get Complicated
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department launched a team in December 2023 to look into allegations of war crimes committed during Russia's war in Ukraine. The team isn'...
Roundup: Insurrection Act; Campaign Spending
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A bipartisan group of legal experts is sounding an alarm about presidential power this election season. They're pushing Congress to update a 150 year ...
SCOTUS Hears Abortion Pill Arguments
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court heard a case this week about mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions. Anti-abortion plaintiffs are suing the Food & Drug A...
The Complicated Relationship Between Biden And Bibi
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the United States tries to seek a resolution to Israel's war in Gaza, we look at the complicated and strained relationship between the White House ...
Latest In Trump's N.Y. Civil Fraud Case
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former President Trump got a brief reprieve in his New York civil case, as the amount he owes to secure a $454 million bond has been temporarily reduc...
Step Inside A Trump Rally
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The presidential campaign is heating up, and candidates are hitting the road to convince people to vote for them. Today, we take a look inside a Donal...
Weekly Roundup: Johnson Ouster Threat, Biden's New App
22 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The House of Representatives reached a deal on government funding, but Speaker Mike Johnson again had to rely on Democratic votes to pass the bill. No...
Texas Immigration Law SB4: Here's The Latest
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Texas has a controversial immigration law that, if implemented, would empower local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. It's a reminde...
Good News: Voting Is, Mostly, Getting Easier. Here's How.
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New data shows that voting in America has gotten easier over the past two decades. More voters have the ability to cast a ballot before Election Day, ...
AZ, OH Primaries: Independents Stranded, MAGA Senate Test
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is reform coming to Arizona's presidential preference election, which blocks independent voters from participating? And Donald Trump and Ohio's govern...
What Kamala Harris, 59, Brings To The Reelection Effort
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vice President Harris was known as a middling campaigner during the 2020 presidential primary, but she's since come into her own as a capable messenge...
She Can Stay. But He's Gotta Go!
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney, can continue to lead the prosecution against former President Donald Trump. A Georgia judge ruled Willis...
Is Time Ticking For TikTok?
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Congress is giving the popular Chinese social media app TikTok an ultimatum—find an American buyer or face a nationwide ban in the United States. Wi...
Will Voters See RFK Jr. On The Ballot?
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is a movement to get third-party and independent presidential candidates on the ballot this year as many Americans have expressed frustration ab...
No Fans Of Hur On The Hill
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans and Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with special counsel Robert Hur's report about President Biden's handling of classified documents ...
Handpicking The RNC
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Republican National Committee voted in a new chair and co-chair on Friday — including a member of the Trump family and a man who questions that ...
Let The General Election Begin!
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden and former President Donald Trump are almost certain to be in a rematch in the general race, but the primaries are still underway. Bot...
Biden's Impassioned State Of The Union Speech
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden delivered a fiery State Of The Union Thursday night addressing immigration, aid for Ukraine and shrinkflation among other topics. But ...
Nikki Haley Suspends Her Bid For The Presidency
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After a tough night with only one win on Super Tuesday, Nikki Haley announced Wednesday that she is suspending her Republican presidential campaign. W...
Trump Dominates GOP Primaries, Again!
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There were no surprises this Super Tuesday as both President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump won big in the day's primary voting contests....
Trump To Appear On All Primary Ballots
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Colorado could not disqualify former President Donald Trump from its ballot. The opinion came the day before Super T...
Borders, Bills & Burgers
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's roundup, we look at the dueling visits to the U.S.-Mexico border taken by President Biden and former president Trump, the continued gla...
Is Trump Immune From Prosecution? SCOTUS Will Decide
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court announced it will hear a case related to special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution of former president Donald Trump related to Trump'...
Michigan Votes; McConnell Vacates
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden won the Michigan Democratic presidential primary Tuesday by a wide margin, despite a push by those upset by his administration's polic...
States Tell SCOTUS That Social Media Censors Conservatives
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The United States Supreme Court is weighing in on a case legal experts say is the biggest test of free speech this country has seen in decades. The qu...
Biden's 'Uncommitted' Problem in Michigan
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The president's most significant opposition in Michigan's Tuesday primary is not another candidate — it's a grassroots movement to vote 'uncommitted...
Whose House? Trump's House.
25 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former President Donald Trump won the South Carolina Republican primary race in former governor Nikki Haley's own backyard. Trump won about 60 percent...
The Battle For The Base
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The South Carolina Republican primary is tomorrow. Former President Donald Trump is favored to win, but the contest will test how much appetite remain...
U.S.-Israel Relations And The 2024 Election
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Israel-Hamas war has been raging for more than four months. The U.S. blocked another U.N. cease-fire resolution this week and $14 billion dollars ...
Senate Races To Watch This Year
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
All eyes are on the presidential primaries, but there are a few key Senate races to watch this year too. West Virginia, Maryland, and Arizona — to n...
"I Feel No Need To Kiss The Ring"
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley delivered a rousing speech to supporters in South Carolina today, vowing to stay in the race for the state'...
Let The Veepstakes Begin
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There isn't a Republican presidential nominee yet, but for most Republicans, it's former president Donald Trump. But, who will he pick as his running ...
ICYMI: Politics News From The Week
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week, former President Donald Trump got a court date for his first criminal trial, lawmakers take another swing at Ukraine aid and we look at swa...
Can Harris Assuage European Allies' Fears In Munich?
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vice President Kamala Harris is in Germany this week for the Munich Security Conference. Harris is tasked with reassuring European allies the U.S. rem...
N.Y. Dems Flip House Seat
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former congressman Tom Suozzi won his House seat back in a special election Tuesday. The office was left vacant by disgraced Republican congressman Ge...
Foreign Policy Has Entered The Chat
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The South Carolina Republican primary is less than two weeks away, and both candidates are talking foreign policy. Nikki Haley, the former UN Ambassad...
Who's In Charge Here?
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is at odds with his colleagues about what the party's priorities are. And confidence in Speaker Mike Johnson is...
Biden Fights Back
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden is fed up. He shared choice words with reporters after being criticized for his age and mental acuity. Earlier in the day the special ...
Biden Won't Face Charges For Keeping Classified Documents
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Justice Department will not charge President Biden for willfully holding onto and disclosing classified materials after leaving the Obama Administ...
Will Trump Be On The Ballot? SCOTUS Weighs In
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court heard arguments today about whether or not Colorado can keep former President Donald Trump off the ballot for his actions on January...
Immigration Legislation Is A No Go
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Senators released a new bipartisan immigration deal on Sunday. The agreement fell apart within days after Senate Republicans turned against it in a sh...
No Blanket Immunity For Trump
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Three judge panel rules former President Donald Trump does not enjoy broad immunity from federal prosecution including for his actions on January 6th....
Biden Won South Carolina Primary. Does It Matter?
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Joe Biden ran away with the democratic presidential nomination in South Carolina. Biden won a resounding 96 percent of the vote. We discuss ...
The Taylor Swift Super Bowl Conspiracy Theory
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This NFL season, popstar Taylor Swift has been a mainstay at the Kansas City Chiefs games cheering on her boyfriend Travis Kelce. Now far-right Donald...
Why Nevada Has A Primary AND A Caucus Next Week
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Republican voters in Iowa have two presidential nominating contests next week, a primary on Tuesday and a caucus on Thursday. We explain why. This epi...
Is Impeachment The Answer?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
House Republicans in disagreement with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas's handling of the southern border want to impeach him. The move ...
It Takes Big Bucks To Run A Campaign
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Campaign spending increases each election cycle; this year, almost $16 billion will be spent on races across the country. Who is the money coming from...
Border Deal: Action Item Or Campaign Fodder?
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The border is a hot topic for politicians on both sides of the aisle — and now, on the campaign trail. After months of negotiations, a bipartisan gr...
Alleged Improper Relationship Could Thwart Trump Ga. Trial
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former President Donald Trump's co-defendant in the election interference criminal case in Georgia is requesting the removal of the Fulton County dist...
Let The Veepstakes Begin
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There isn't a Republican presidential nominee yet, but for most Republicans, it's former president Donald Trump. But, who will he pick as his running ...
Biden Talks Reproductive Rights
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For decades, President Biden has shied away from talking about reproductive rights, but in this election cycle it's a centerpiece of the Democratic Pa...
Trump Wins New Hampshire, Haley Vows To Stay In
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
New Hampshire voters cast their ballots in the state's Republican primary in favor of former president Donald Trump. Former U.N. ambassador & South Ca...
And Then There Were Two
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With only days before the New Hampshire primary, Florida governor Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. He e...
Harris "Loves" Gen Z, Campaigns For Their Vote
19 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Polls have shown that younger voters are not that enthusiastic about reelecting President Biden. But his campaign is hopeful that Vice President Kamal...
Who Are The Houthis?
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The U.S. government has been launching missiles at Houthi rebels who have attacked ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis claim they are taking physical ac...
Why 2024 Is Unlike Any Previous Election
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Disinformation. Threats to election workers. A potential presidential rematch. We look at why this election season is different than others before, an...
New Hampshire's Got Next
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Iowa caucuses are over. Next up: the New Hampshire primary. The three remaining major Republican presidential candidates make their way east to pe...
Trump Sweeps Iowa Caucuses
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former president Donald Trump won the Iowa Republican caucuses with over 50 percent of the votes Monday night. Florida governor Ron DeSantis placed se...
How The Iowa Caucus Works
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Republicans across Iowa will gather Monday night at 7:00 pm CT to caucus for a presidential candidate. What does that mean? We tell you how caucusing ...
The Migrant Crisis On The Border And The Hill
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The stream of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border hit record numbers at the end of 2023. The stream of illegal border crossing has slowed, but co...
The Argument For Presidential Blanket Immunity
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former President Trump's attorneys appeared at the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to argue Trump should have blanket immunity for actions he took while i...
What We're Hearing On The Ground In Iowa
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Iowa Republicans caucus in less than a week. Republican presidential candidates are making their final rounds across the state, and our reporters are ...
Will A Government Shutdown Be Avoided?
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With only 11 days to go until a possible government shutdown, congressional leaders have agreed to a topline budget. But, it resembles one that didn't...
Biden: 2024 Election Is About The Fight For Democracy
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden used his first campaign event of 2024 to call out his likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, for the threat he poses to Ameri...
Trump's Election Headwinds
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The former president faces challenges convincing voters he deserves a second term. We explore what they are.A similar episode regarding the challenges...
Trump's Ballot Battle
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Former president Donald Trump is waiting to learn if his name will be on presidential primary ballots nationwide as well as trial dates for his four c...
Congress' 2024 Outlook: More Legislating, Less Drama?
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lawmakers made headlines in 2023 for seemingly everything but making laws. We look back at their work last year and at their priorities for this year....
The Impact Of Restrictive Abortion Laws In 2023
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From NPR's daily news podcast, Consider This: Nearly two years into Roe v. Wade being overturned, pregnant people continue to have a hard time accessi...
The 2023 Can't Let It Go Year End Spectacular
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The new year is nigh. We look back at all the things we couldn't stop thinking about in 2023 — politics or otherwise.This episode: senior White Hous...
Biden's Election Headwinds
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The incumbent president faces challenges convincing voters he deserves a second term. We explore what they are.A similar episode regarding the challen...
Is Bidenomics Working?
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden has been touting his economic plan as the economy recovers after the pandemic. We look at how the economy fared in 2023 and what could...
Biden's Foreign Policy Dilemma
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This year saw the continuation of the Russia-Ukraine war and the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war. President Biden's response risks fracturing his...
Could Proportional Representation Fix Congress?
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most congressional general elections are not competitive. It's why some people feel like voting won't make a difference, or that their interests are n...
Biden Has A Gen X Problem
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Generation X, the generation between the Boomers and Millennials, isn't a voting bloc you hear much about. We break down why Biden is lacking with the...
Trump Embraces Autocratic Language
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The former president continues to recite his greatest hits on the campaign trail, along with adding some new autocratic language. His words are drawin...
Colo. Supreme Court Knocks Trump Off Ballot — What's Next?
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Citing the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled "President Trump is disqualified from holding the office of...
Caucuses & Primaries: A Beginner's Guide
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Between primaries, caucuses & different processes across the 50 states and other territories, there's a lot that goes into how Democrats and Republica...
GOP Candidates Light On Education Policy
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to the future of America's youth, Republican presidential candidates are less focused on the academics and more on the culture. Candidat...
December's Politics Podcast Trivia Game
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Susan Davis and Ron Elving quiz an NPR Politics Podcast listener on recent political news and trivia. Listen to this episode to play along and to find...
Happy Holidays From A Fairly Unproductive Congress
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lawmakers presided over one of the most fruitless sessions in legislative history this year — and there's still a lot left on their plate to tackle ...
Free Speech & College Campuses
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Israel-Hamas war has sparked demonstrations on college campuses, igniting the age old debate about the fine line between antisemitism and free spe...
House Formalizes Impeachment Inquiry Into President Biden
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The vote is intended, in part, to give lawmakers greater legal authority to enforce subpoenas. House Republicans allege that President Biden and his f...
Texas Woman Denied Emergency Abortion, Goes Out of State
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade last year has made it virtually impossible to get a legal abortion in Texas. This case is the la...
Candidates — Some Of Them, Anyway — Visit N.H. Ahead Of Primary
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The first-in-the-nation primary is set for Jan. 23, but President Biden is staying out of the Democrats' contest and is not on the ballot. Republicans...
Roundup: Congress, Cameos & Clapbacks
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lawmakers are scrambling to get things done before the end of the year, but is there an appetite to fund more aid for Ukraine if Republicans' immigrat...
Merrick Garland's Had A Lot On His Plate
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Department of Justice this week announced war crimes charges against four Russian soldiers for alleged torture of an American citizen in Ukraine, ...
Sparks Fly At Fourth Republican Primary Debate
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley & businessman Vivek Ramaswamy attacked ea...
Trump Plans A More Radical Second Term
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The former president and his allies have made clear they don't want obstacles that stymied them in their first term to get in the way during a potenti...
Nikki Haley, Feminism & The Modern Republican Party
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador threads the needle while running for president: she says her gender is important to her candida...
Weekly Roundup: The House Expels Santos, and A Clash of Two Governors
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Rep. George Santos became the sixth person ever expelled from the House of Representatives Friday. And while Santos has been a political thorn in Repu...