Accessibility links
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

Podcast Directory

The NPR Politics Podcast

From NPR

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

toggle caption
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
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1250419125/1263908717" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
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

toggle caption
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
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1250419126/1267216656" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
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

toggle caption
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
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198005732/1258323687" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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

toggle caption
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
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198005734/1258324722" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Trump's tariff tumult

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the East Room at the White House Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. Carl Court/Pool, via AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carl Court/Pool, via AP

Trump's tariff tumult

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to enact tariffs on some of the United States' largest trading partners. As president, he has made good on that promise — but with more than a few exceptions and caveats.

Trump's tariff tumult

Listen · 13:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1236242674/1267534993" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
How Trump's immigration policy is taking shape

President Donald Trump signs an executive order regarding the southern border in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP

How Trump's immigration policy is taking shape

Immigration was a major campaign issue for Donald Trump as he sought to return to the White House. Now that he's back, what policies has he implemented, and how to do they align with what he promised on the campaign trail?

How Trump's immigration policy is taking shape

Listen · 15:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1235939372/1267475022" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Trump defends record & agenda in combative address to Congress

President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump defends record & agenda in combative address to Congress

In the longest address of its kind before Congress in recent memory, President Trump laid out his policy objectives on the economy, immigration, foreign policy & other topics. He was repeatedly critical of Democrats & his predecessor, Joe Biden. One Democratic congressman was escorted out of the House chamber after heckling Trump, and the Democratic Party's response delivered by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) largely discussed how her party differs with Trump on economic and foreign policy issues.

Trump defends record & agenda in combative address to Congress

Listen · 20:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1235758695/1267435078" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
NPR poll: Majority thinks Trump is making changes too quickly

President Donald Trump gestures as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington, after returning from a trip to Florida. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/AP

NPR poll: Majority thinks Trump is making changes too quickly

In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, a majority of respondents think the state of the union is not strong, and that President Trump is moving too quickly in trying to reshape the federal government.

NPR poll: Majority thinks Trump is making changes too quickly

Listen · 14:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1235624365/1267338732" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of TV

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Pool, via AP hide caption

toggle caption
Pool, via AP

Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of TV

Congress is trying to come up with a new budget, while also attempting to extend tax cuts put in place during President Trump's first term. But with a very small majority in both houses, Republicans have little margin for error.

Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of TV

Listen · 21:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1234443280/1267239392" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Trump's next foreign policy challenge: Syria

President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP

Trump's next foreign policy challenge: Syria

Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration's goals, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace.

Trump's next foreign policy challenge: Syria

Listen · 16:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1234145490/1267176091" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The NPR Politics Podcast

Podcast Directory
or search npr.org