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The NPR Politics Podcast Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics
The NPR Politics Podcast

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The NPR Politics Podcast

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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon.

Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Most Recent Episodes

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

President Donald Trump takes the oath of office Jan. 27, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Jim Bourg/AP hide caption

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Jim Bourg/AP

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith has been looking at what Donald Trump did in early 2017 when he first took office, and what might be different this time around.

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

Listen · 5:33
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In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a news conference Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

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George Walker IV/AP

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Federal judges have enormous power over their courtrooms and their chambers, which can leave employees vulnerable to abuse, with few ways to report their concerns anonymously. Forty-two current and former federal judicial employees spoke to NPR about their experience of mistreatment working for judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Listen · 27:39
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Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a ceremony to award Mexican actor/singer/radio personality Angelica Vale a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Did Eric Garcetti, a powerful Democrat, lie under oath about a #MeToo scandal in his office?

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Listen · 41:04
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Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

The Los Angeles City Hall building is seen in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

What happens when political ambition collides with a #MeToo allegation in the Democratic party?

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

Listen · 42:52
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He has a Purple Heart & is a convicted felon. ICE wants to deport him.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Baltimore Field Officer director Matt Elliston listens during a briefing, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

He has a Purple Heart & is a convicted felon. ICE wants to deport him.

An NPR exclusive: Deportation proceedings are underway for Jose Barco, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Barco came to the U.S. as a child, enlisted as a teenager, and, after his discharge, was convicted of a felony. Immediately after being paroled in January, he was remanded to ICE custody, where he has remained since.

He has a Purple Heart & is a convicted felon. ICE wants to deport him.

Listen · 11:03
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Weekly roundup: Trump's tariff swing; HHS cuts; bodega cats

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Weekly roundup: Trump's tariff swing; HHS cuts; bodega cats

The tariff plan rolled out by President Trump this week threatens to upend the global economic system. We look at the potential impacts.

Weekly roundup: Trump's tariff swing; HHS cuts; bodega cats

Listen · 25:04
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It's tariff time. How will tariffs impact you?

President Donald Trump departs after signing an executive order at an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

It's tariff time. How will tariffs impact you?

President Trump announced a blanket tariff on all imports to the U.S., and additional, specific tariffs on dozens of countries. How will this change in trade policy impact consumers?

It's tariff time. How will tariffs impact you?

Listen · 17:07
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Unpacking election results from Florida and Wisconsin

Residents vote at a polling place inside the Heritage Oaks apartment homes on April 01, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Unpacking election results from Florida and Wisconsin

Money poured into races in Florida and Wisconsin at levels usually reserved for elections during a presidential cycle. Republicans held two House seats in Florida, but by smaller margins than their previous wins there.

Unpacking election results from Florida and Wisconsin

Listen · 18:57
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Donald Trump & presidential term limits

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, March 31, 2025. Pool, via AP hide caption

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Pool, via AP

Donald Trump & presidential term limits

The president has flirted with — and walked back — suggestions he would seek a third term in office, which runs counter to the 22nd Amendment's provisions on term limits. But that's not stopping supporters & academics from exploring ways the amendment's language may be interpreted differently.

Donald Trump & presidential term limits

Listen · 13:27
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These two special elections could help shift the balance of the House

People walk past a Vote sign on the first day of early voting in the general election, Oct. 21, 2024, in Miami. Lynne Sladky/AP hide caption

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Lynne Sladky/AP

These two special elections could help shift the balance of the House

Races to fill two vacant seats in Florida's first and sixth congressional districts are getting a lot of attention. Despite Republicans having a long history of success in both, Democrats think they have a chance to keep things close — if not possibly to pull off major upsets. We look at who is running.

These two special elections could help shift the balance of the House

Listen · 13:36
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