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">
What Israel's strikes on Iran mean for Trump's diplomacy efforts

President Donald Trump, right, listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, April 7, 2025. Pool/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Pool/AP

What Israel's strikes on Iran mean for Trump's diplomacy efforts

Israel launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, killing at least three of Iran's top military leaders. We look at why Israel took these actions now, what Iran might do next, and how the conflict complicates President Trump's efforts to be a dealmaker and a peacekeeper.

What Israel's strikes on Iran mean for Trump's diplomacy efforts

Listen · 23:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1254121708/1269471324" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Love in the time of politics

Newlyweds kiss after being wed in a Valentine's Day group wedding ceremony at the Dade County Courthouse in Miami, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. Rebecca Blackwell/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Love in the time of politics

Roses are red,

Love in the time of politics

Listen · 15:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1254056485/1269465814" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
RFK ousts all 17 members of a vaccine advisory panel

President Donald Trump, left, speaks as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens during a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Event in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

RFK ousts all 17 members of a vaccine advisory panel

Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted all 17 members of a vaccine advisory board this week. It's a move that's been roundly condemned by the public health community and cheered by Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" base.

RFK ousts all 17 members of a vaccine advisory panel

Listen · 13:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1253992711/1269456706" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
L.A. protests pose political risks — and opportunities — for Trump and Newsom

Protesters demand ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to leave the area, Monday, June 9, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. Jae Hong/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jae Hong/AP

L.A. protests pose political risks — and opportunities — for Trump and Newsom

As protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles stretch into their fifth day, President Trump is doubling down on his decision to send national guard troops and U.S. marines to the city. That is setting up a clash between Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who's often seen as a 2028 Democratic presidential hopeful.

L.A. protests pose political risks — and opportunities — for Trump and Newsom

Listen · 12:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1253920684/1269445354" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Protests in Los Angeles over Trump's immigration policies

A demonstrator holds a poster during a protest against a new travel ban announced last week by President Donald Trump, at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. Etienne Laurent/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Etienne Laurent/AP

Protests in Los Angeles over Trump's immigration policies

After a series of immigration raids in and around Los Angeles, protestors demonstrated against the actions & the broader immigration policies of the Trump administration. In response, the president federalized the California National Guard without asking state and local officials. The rare move has drawn strong criticism from California lawmakers.

Protests in Los Angeles over Trump's immigration policies

Listen · 12:44
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1253891558/1269438584" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Budget battles & conversations with China

President Trump speaks during a meeting with the Fraternal Order of Police in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Budget battles & conversations with China

Negotiations over President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" continue on Capitol Hill — but now, his former ally, Elon Musk, is criticizing both the legislation and the president himself. How will Republicans respond?

Budget battles & conversations with China

Listen · 23:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1253756225/1269433437" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The NPR Politics Podcast

Podcast Directory
or search npr.org