The NPR Politics Podcast

The NPR Politics Podcast

Author: NPR Language: English Episodes: 100
If your day feels incomplete without a deep dive into the latest from Capitol Hill or the campaign trail, you’ve found your daily briefing. The NPR Politics Podcast brings together NPR's seasoned political journalists each weekday afternoon, offering clarity on the headlines that shape our nation. This isn't just a rapid-fire news update; it's a conversation that digs into the substance behind the soundbites. The team provides essential context, helping to untangle complex legislative maneuvers and electoral strategies so you understand not only what's occurring, but the real-world implications of every decision and debate. By focusing on the "why" behind the news, this podcast transforms daily political coverage into something genuinely substantive. For those who want to go even deeper, the subscription option offers a way to support the work directly and listen without interruptions. Tune in for reliable, thoughtful analysis that cuts through the noise, making sense of a rapidly changing political landscape.
Episodes
Some Republicans in Congress are standing up to Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:56
Tensions between congressional Republicans and the White House caused leaders on the Hill to delay a vote on immigration funding. We discuss what's at the center of the fighting, plus what this week’s indictment of Cuba'…
Why these swing voters give Trump a pass on the economy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 North Carolina voters who backed President Joe Biden in 2020 and President Donald Trump in 2024. We discuss what they say about President Trump, the economy, the Democratic Party…
Trump's revenge tour ousts Massie in Kentucky. Is Texas next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:11
President Trump wasn't on the ballot in Tuesday’s primaries, but he notched a victory when the challenger he backed defeated Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie. We discuss Massie's loss and other primary election res…
Trump creates $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization fund’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:52
President Trump is creating a nearly $1.8 billion fund to compensate people who say they were victims of the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. We discuss who could get payouts and who makes that call. This episo…
Trump goes after GOP foes in Louisiana, Kentucky primaries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:18
Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his primary last Saturday to a challenger backed by President Trump, and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie faces a similar challenge in his primary on Tuesday. We discuss the preside…
What did Trump accomplish in China? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:18
President Trump returned from a long awaited trip to China on Friday. We discuss what the United States got out of the meetings with Chinese leaders. Plus, what should we make of Trump’s prolific social media use? This e…
Inflation is up, job growth is flat, and voters don’t like it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:28
In the last week, we’ve gotten seemingly conflicting economic data — inflation is up, consumer spending is up slightly and the job market is holding steady. We discuss what to make of it, how voters are feeling, and what…
Could one Nebraska House race alter the Electoral College? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:38
A day after Nebraska held its primary election, the result in the Democratic race to fill one of the most competitive House seats in the country is still too close to call. We discuss how one possible outcome in that rac…
Mr. Trump goes to Beijing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:17
President Trump is headed to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. We discuss what each side hopes to accomplish and how the Iran war has changed the power dynamics between the two leaders. This episode: vot…
Democrats face disadvantage after redistricting setbacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:38
The U.S. House map looks particularly bleak for Democrats after Virginia’s Supreme Court overturned the map voters approved last month, on top of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gutted the Voting Rights Act. We d…