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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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The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

President Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. Carlos Barria/Pool, via AP hide caption

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Carlos Barria/Pool, via AP

The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

The U.S. launched a military strike against nuclear sites in Iran, further involving itself in Israel's conflict with Iran. We look at what happened, and the lasting implications of the action.

The U.S. strikes nuclear sites in Iran. Now what?

Listen · 19:10
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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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Trump's views on Russia-Ukraine war are shifting

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP hide caption

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Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/AP

Trump's views on Russia-Ukraine war are shifting

During the campaign, President Trump promised a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but he has so far not been able to strike a deal to stop the fighting. We discuss the president's changing views on the conflict and whether Washington is likely to approve more military aid to Ukraine.

Trump's views on Russia-Ukraine war are shifting

Listen · 11:53
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The Justice Department sues all the federal judges in Maryland

Gavels and law books are shown, July 14, 2010 in San Francisco, Calif. Jeff Chiu/AP hide caption

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Jeff Chiu/AP

The Justice Department sues all the federal judges in Maryland

The Department of Justice has taken the rare step of suing all of the federal District Court judges in Maryland, after the Maryland court issued a 48-hour pause in every case where an immigrant was challenging their removal from the United States. We examine why this lawsuit is so unusual and how it fits into the Trump Administration's larger attitude toward the judicial branch.

The Justice Department sues all the federal judges in Maryland

Listen · 12:39
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Inside Trump's tax and spending law: Medicaid cuts & a 'backdoor abortion ban'

A demonstrator in a wheelchair protests outside the office of Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., on the proposed cuts to Medicaid on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

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Jose Luis Magana/AP

Inside Trump's tax and spending law: Medicaid cuts & a 'backdoor abortion ban'

President Trump's new tax and spending law is expected to result in nearly 12 million Americans losing health insurance. Advocates say it also effectively reduces access to abortions even in states where they are legal. We dive into how it all works and how Democrats hope to use the changes in campaigns.

Inside Trump's tax and spending law: Medicaid cuts & a 'backdoor abortion ban'

Listen · 14:28
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How President Trump's tax & spending law will affect Americans' wallets

President Trump bangs a gavel presented to him by House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., after he signed his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

How President Trump's tax & spending law will affect Americans' wallets

President Trump has promised that his newly signed tax and spending law will be a boon for taxpayers and the economy as a whole. We dig into what the legislation really does and what it could mean for Americans' wallets.

How President Trump's tax & spending law will affect Americans' wallets

Listen · 12:54
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One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the World AIDS Day event hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding in Washington, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. Jonathan Ernst/Pool, via AP hide caption

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Jonathan Ernst/Pool, via AP

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

From our friends at The Indicator from Planet Money: What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with journalist Jon Cohen, who traveled to Eswatini and Lesotho to learn how cuts under the Trump administration are hitting people at the clinic door.

One of the cheapest ways to save a life is going away

Listen · 9:57
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