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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

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

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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 administration ignores the experts as it cancels $500 million for vaccines

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends a news conference, Aug. 5, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. Mark Thiessen/AP hide caption

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Mark Thiessen/AP

Trump administration ignores the experts as it cancels $500 million for vaccines

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., cancelled $500 million in mRNA vaccine development contracts this week. We discuss how the move follows a trend of actions by the Trump administration that ignore the advice of subject-matter experts.

Trump administration ignores the experts as it cancels $500 million for vaccines

Listen · 19:34
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ICE recalls retired federal workers to bolster its ranks

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents escort a detained immigrant into an elevator after he exited an immigration courtroom, June 17, 2025, in New York. Olga Fedorova/AP hide caption

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Olga Fedorova/AP

ICE recalls retired federal workers to bolster its ranks

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is turning to retired federal workers as it tries to rapidly boost its ranks. We discuss the reasons behind the agency's hiring spree and the challenges it faces in its efforts.

ICE recalls retired federal workers to bolster its ranks

Listen · 15:56
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If Texas redraws its House map, California governor says it will, too

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, accompanied by several members of the Texas state Legislature, calls for a new way for California to redraw it's voting districts during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., on July 25, 2025. Rich Pedroncelli/AP hide caption

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Rich Pedroncelli/AP

If Texas redraws its House map, California governor says it will, too

If Texas Republicans go through with their plan to redraw the state's congressional districts to give Republicans five more U.S. House seats, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, says he'll push through new districts in his state that benefit Democrats. We discuss the growing redistricting arms race and why, at least for California, it's not that simple.

If Texas redraws its House map, California governor says it will, too

Listen · 12:46
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Some 'manosphere' podcasters who backed Trump are turning from him

Then-Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference on Oct. 25, 2024, in Austin, Texas (left), and Joe Rogan at a UFC event in Boston on Aug. 18, 2023 (right). AP hide caption

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AP

Some 'manosphere' podcasters who backed Trump are turning from him

During the 2024 campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump went on several podcasts in the so-called "manosphere," in an effort to reach new voters. Now that he's back in office, he may be losing the support of some of those shows' hosts. We discuss the manosphere's past political influence and whether it's likely to shape future elections.

Some 'manosphere' podcasters who backed Trump are turning from him

Listen · 17:53
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Trump's new tariffs set to take effect this week, but much is uncertain

Containers are piled up in a cargo terminal in Frankfurt, Germany, on Aug. 1, 2025. Michael Probst/AP hide caption

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Michael Probst/AP

Trump's new tariffs set to take effect this week, but much is uncertain

The latest tariffs are due to take effect this week, but many of the details are still uncertain. We discuss what may be coming, why congressional Republicans aren't pushing back against tariffs some of them oppose, and the effects of Trump's decision to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Trump's new tariffs set to take effect this week, but much is uncertain

Listen · 16:42
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