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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

Podcast Directory

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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Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

The seal of U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seen at the headquarters of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/AP hide caption

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Jose Luis Magana/AP

Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

For decades, voting officials have noted that there was no national citizenship list to compare their state lists to, so to verify citizenship for their voters, they either needed to ask people to provide a birth certificate or a passport — something that could disenfranchise millions — or use a complex patchwork of disparate data sources. Now, the Department of Homeland Security is offering another way: creating a searchable data system of citizenship records. Elections officials and privacy advocates are expressing concern.

Exclusive: The Trump administration is building a national citizenship data system

Listen · 9:48
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Supreme Court sides with Trump to limit nationwide injunctions

The Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 17, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite, File/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite, File/AP

Supreme Court sides with Trump to limit nationwide injunctions

The Supreme Court ruled Friday that federal courts exceeded their authority by issuing a nationwide injunction on President Trump's birthright citizenship order. We look at what that means for the future of birthright citizenship and other Trump policies that have been challenged by the courts. And of course, Can't Let It Go.

Supreme Court sides with Trump to limit nationwide injunctions

Listen · 20:40
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How President Trump makes his money, from golf courses to crypto coins

Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference July 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Humphrey, File/AP hide caption

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Mark Humphrey, File/AP

How President Trump makes his money, from golf courses to crypto coins

From Trump Tower to Trump Steaks, President Trump's business ventures have always been about the Trump brand. What does that mean when the man behind the brand is back in the White House? Trump's recent financial disclosures offer some clues.

How President Trump makes his money, from golf courses to crypto coins

Listen · 12:10
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Trump faces key deadlines on legislative agenda, tariff pause

President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Markus Schreiber/AP hide caption

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Markus Schreiber/AP

Trump faces key deadlines on legislative agenda, tariff pause

President Trump is nearing a critical juncture for several of his top priorities. He wants Congress to pass his sweeping legislative agenda by July 4th. His tariff pause expires on July 8th. And a leaked preliminary intelligence report has cast doubt on his claims that Iran's nuclear facilities were totally obliterated by last weekend's strikes.

Trump faces key deadlines on legislative agenda, tariff pause

Listen · 14:58
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How successful were U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program? Here's what we know.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Washington Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

How successful were U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program? Here's what we know.

President Trump and his Cabinet say Iran's nuclear program was "devastated," "obliterated," and "destroyed" by U.S. strikes this weekend. But the reality is it's much more complicated. As Iran and Israel enter a fragile ceasefire, we discuss just how effective this military action was. Plus, how is Congress responding.

How successful were U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program? Here's what we know.

Listen · 14:37
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