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

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

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

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

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

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be director of National Intelligence, meets with Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

toggle caption
J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Why some in Congress are skeptical of Trump's national intelligence pick

Tulsi Gabbard doesn't have the typical background for a director of national intelligence, but the former Hawaii congresswoman has made a name for herself: she is a Democrat-turned-Republican who staunchly backed Trump in 2024, and she holds controversial foreign policy views. Will she get the job?

Why some in Congress are skeptical of Trump's national intelligence pick

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1218737991/1263517970" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the director of the FBI, attends a meeting in the office of Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to run the FBI?

He was a public defender and former national security aide. He is a fierce critic of the justice department and longtime ally of President-elect Trump, who wants him to run the FBI.

Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick to run the FBI?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1218506694/1263460033" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Syrians celebrate at Umayyad Square in Aleppo, Syria, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Omar Sanadiki/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Omar Sanadiki/AP

What regime change in Syria means for the U.S.

After more than 50 years in power, the Assad regime has fallen in Syria. How does the situation in Syria affect the United States, and the foreign policy ambitions of the incoming Trump administration?

What regime change in Syria means for the U.S.

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1218437716/1263402667" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

President-elect Donald Trump arrives for a meeting with the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump talks tariffs, immigration, pardons

President-elect Donald Trump sat down for his first broadcast television interview since winning a second term. On NBC's Meet The Press with Kristen Welker, Trump talked about economic and domestic policy proposals that may find support — and opposition — among many members of Congress. How likely will it be for his agenda to get enacted?

Trump talks tariffs, immigration, pardons

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1218396331/1263355205" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before speaking at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. Heather Khalifa/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Heather Khalifa/AP

Roundup: Trump's diplomacy, DOGE & drawings

Even though he doesn't take office until January, Donald Trump is already busy, nominating cabinet officials and taking visits & calls from world leaders. How might his diplomatic efforts now impact policy later?

Roundup: Trump's diplomacy, DOGE & drawings

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1217547158/1263277633" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Posters expressing support for Vice President Kamala Harris are seen near the site of her concession speech for the 2024 presidential election on the campus of Howard University in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. Nathan Howard/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Nathan Howard/AP

What Democratic organizers are learning from 2024

After a difficult 2024 cycle, activists working to elect Democratic candidates are rethinking their playbooks for the next elections. Many organizers, including Black women, are strategizing ways to improve their coalition building.

What Democratic organizers are learning from 2024

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1217308646/1263215097" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Phill Cady wears a t-shirt with a photo of former President Donald Trump, who is running for reelection, as he holds a sign during a "Take Our Border Back" rally on Feb. 3, 2024, in Quemado, Texas. Eric Gay/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Eric Gay/AP

How immigration policy is set to change in the Trump administration

Immigration was a central focus of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Now that he's set to take office, what changes are expected to U.S. immigration policy?

How immigration policy is set to change in the Trump administration

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1216966346/1263164758" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

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

toggle caption
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?

  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1216842314/1263105480" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
or search npr.org