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

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

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

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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

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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

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President Joe Biden addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Joe Biden's foreign policy legacy

As president, Biden sought to restore faith in the United States' abilities as a world leader, but was tested by a number of significant crises and wars abroad — and by opposition at home.

Joe Biden's foreign policy legacy

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The campus of Howard University is pictured after the conclusion of an election night campaign watch party for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in Washington. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

What now for the Democratic Party?

Democrats lost the race for the White House, and lost control of the Senate, in 2024. But, after holding on to a few competitive seats in the House of Representatives, what lessons can be learned for their future elections?

What now for the Democratic Party?

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President Joe Biden speaks about the 2021 jobs report in the State Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 7, 2022, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Joe Biden's domestic policy legacy

In his four years in office, President Biden managed to get significant legislation passed, but also faced strong headwinds from both his own party and Republican opposition.

Joe Biden's domestic policy legacy

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Joseph Biden, the newly-elected Democratic Senator from Delaware, is shown in Washington, Dec. 12, 1972. Henry Griffin/AP hide caption

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Henry Griffin/AP

The evolutions of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party

Joe Biden has been a national political figure for more than 20 percent of the United States' history. His policies and public figure have evolved over time, in ways that reflect how his Democratic Party also changed. We look back on the legacy of a man who was both one of the youngest senators ever elected, and the oldest person to serve as president.

The evolutions of Joe Biden and the Democratic Party

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The TikTok logo is seen on their building in Culver City, Calif. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

Roundup: Clock ticks toward TikTok ban & government shutdown

Lawmakers are up against a deadline of midnight Friday to pass a bill to fund the government. What's behind the hold up?

Roundup: Clock ticks toward TikTok ban & government shutdown

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., left, with Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., meets with reporters after presenting his final version of an interim pending bill to his caucus, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

How the spending bill died

For a few hours, Congress looked poised to avoid a government shutdown by passing a new short-term spending bill. But, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy & President-elect Donald Trump voiced opposition, and House Speaker Mike Johnson & lawmakers are back to square one. What now?

How the spending bill died

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., pauses before talking to reporters about work on a final version of a spending bill before federal agencies run out of money at midnight on Friday night, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

As the year ends, what do Congress & the White House still want to do?

Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to fund the federal government through March; will it get passed? And, in the waning days of the Biden administration, what policy objectives does the White House still want to accomplish?

As the year ends, what do Congress & the White House still want to do?

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