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The NPR Politics Podcast

The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR 1750 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters 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. This podcast provides in-depth analysis of U.S. politics and elections.

Episodes

How Trump's agenda complicates midterm races for Republicans
How Trump's agenda complicates midterm races for Republicans Jul 24, 2026 1835 House Republicans had a busy week before heading out for an August recess. We discuss what measures they passed, how those items fit into President Trump's agenda and how that agenda is making life difficult for some Republicans on the midterm campaign trail.This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and White House correspondent Deepa
Fatal ICE shootings reignite campaign debate over immigration
Fatal ICE shootings reignite campaign debate over immigration Jul 23, 2026 1238 Campaigns across the country are leaning into immigration issues, spurred in part by recent fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in Maine and Texas. We discuss how politicians on both sides of the aisle are using the issue and why Republicans in particular see immigration enforcement as a winning message.This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy corre
As casualties rise, do the politics of the Iran war change?
As casualties rise, do the politics of the Iran war change? Jul 22, 2026 1263 President Trump attended the dignified transfer on Wednesday of four U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran war. We discuss how the latest casualties affect the politics of the war, and how Congress took Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s request for billions more in funding for the war. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Quil Lawrence, and White Hou
2028 fantasy draft: Republicans
2028 fantasy draft: Republicans Jul 21, 2026 1864 The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it's not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Republican field in 2028. If you missed our Democratic candidate draft, you can catch that here.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political correspondent T
The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary
The races we’re watching in Arizona’s primary Jul 20, 2026 1367 Tuesday is Primary Day in Arizona. We discuss the Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November and the competitive primaries for an open Phoenix-area House seat.This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and KJZZ correspondent Wayne Schutsky.This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive
New NPR Series: "We Keep Us Safe" from the Embedded podcast
New NPR Series: "We Keep Us Safe" from the Embedded podcast Jul 18, 2026 193 In the summer of 2020, sixteen-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. traveled a thousand miles to join the racial justice movement of his generation in the wake of George Floyd's killing. Antonio arrived in Seattle during the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, known as CHOP. Less than a week later, he was shot and killed there. The case remains unsolved.In this eight-part series, hosts Sydney Brownstone of The Se
Trump pushes unsubstantiated claims of election fraud — again
Trump pushes unsubstantiated claims of election fraud — again Jul 17, 2026 1907 In a national address Thursday night, President Trump said he has new evidence of fraud in the American election system. We discuss whether facts back up Trump's claims and what to make of Trump devoting a primetime address to this topic now. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior national political correspondent Tamara Keith.This podcast w
These swing voters shrug at Trump earning billions last year
These swing voters shrug at Trump earning billions last year Jul 16, 2026 1206 NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 Pennsylvania voters who backed former President Biden in 2020 and President Trump in 2024. We discuss their cynicism about politicians and the Iran war, and what they think about democratic socialism.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast wa
Trump warns that communism is coming for America
Trump warns that communism is coming for America Jul 15, 2026 1429 President Trump has been pushing a new warning lately: communism is coming. He’s referring to candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America who have won Democratic primaries in deep blue House districts in Colorado and New York and are on the ballot in a few other states. We discuss similarities between these left-leaning candidates and Trump, and whether Trump’s message is likely t
2028 fantasy draft: Democrats
2028 fantasy draft: Democrats Jul 14, 2026 1620 The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it’s not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Democratic field in 2028.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, a
With Graham's death, the Senate loses a key Trump whisperer
With Graham's death, the Senate loses a key Trump whisperer Jul 13, 2026 1136 Longtime South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly over the weekend at age 71. We discuss how Graham helped President Trump reshape the federal judiciary and achieve priorities such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while also serving as one of the last remaining Republican defense hawks.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel, and Wh
Where is Mitch McConnell?
Where is Mitch McConnell? Jul 10, 2026 1521 It was another busy week in politics. We discuss Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the Senate and the latest news in the Michigan Senate primary. Plus, when does a sex scandal cross a line and make a politician too controversial for voters?This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, congressional correspondent Barbara Sp

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