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The NPR Politics Podcast

The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR 1750 episodes Latest May 29, 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

What to make of Trump’s mixed-messages on the Iran war Jun 12, 2026 1329 President Trump sent a lot of mixed messages on the war in Iran this week, starting with imminent peace on Monday, threatening to take control of Kharg Island on Thursday, followed by more imminent peace and then more threats. We discuss what to make of the back-and-forth.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, a
Primary voters reject the establishment and choose populism Jun 11, 2026 1038 More than half the states have had their primary contests for this year’s midterm elections. We discuss some key themes that have emerged. Voters are embracing economic populism and rejecting establishment politicians — except when it comes to President Trump. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasso
Trump signs law giving immigration enforcement $70 billion Jun 10, 2026 1110 President Trump signed a law giving roughly $70 billion to federal immigration enforcement agencies, intended to cover their budgets for three years, with little congressional oversight. We discuss how the move limits Congress’ power and what it could mean for Republicans in the midterms.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and Department of Homeland
California counts votes slowly. Trump falsely cries fraud. Jun 9, 2026 1075 California counts votes very slowly, maybe slower than any other state. This is normal for California, but President Trump and some other Republican leaders are claiming, without evidence, that a delay in getting election results is evidence of fraud. We discuss why California is so slow to count votes and what Trump’s claims could mean for the November midterm elections. This episode: political c
Will the controversy surrounding Platner deter primary voters? Jun 8, 2026 1123 Democrat Graham Platner is the frontrunner in his party’s primary contest to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, but Platner’s campaign has been dogged by controversy. Unseating longtime incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins will not be easy but is vital to Democrats' hopes of winning control of the Senate.This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, senior political correspondent Tamara
Do political scandals matter anymore? Jun 5, 2026 1800 As recently as a few days ago, it looked like President Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund might prevent Congress from passing funding for immigration enforcement agencies. Even though it passed in the end, Trump's fund made the process harder. We discuss how the president is testing the limits of Republicans’ willingness to push through his agenda. Plus, do political scandals matter any
Voters reject the establishment in this week’s primaries Jun 4, 2026 1102 Voters in several of this week’s primary races rejected incumbents and politicians backed by Washington leaders in favor of outsiders. We discuss that and other takeaways from Tuesday’s primaries, plus how the Supreme Court’s ruling that lets Alabama redraw its congressional map changes the outcome of the mid-decade redistricting arms race. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political
Why did Governor Polis release election denier Tina Peters? Jun 3, 2026 1031 Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters was released from prison this week, after Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. Peters was convicted of tampering with voting machines after the 2020 presidential election. We discuss what to make of Peters’ release, plus the dozens of election deniers running for political offices that oversee state and local elections.This episode: p
Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ is a problem for the GOP Jun 2, 2026 998 A federal court put President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” on hold, but Republican leaders on Capitol Hill say they would like to see the president back away from the fund permanently. We discuss why the fund poses a political problem for Republican lawmakers.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, Supreme Court and justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and White House correspondent F
Democrats target working-class voters in Iowa and Montana Jun 1, 2026 1134 To win control of Congress, Democrats need to win rural and working-class voters in traditionally Republican strongholds. We discuss the party’s strategies in two states with primary elections on Tuesday, Iowa and Montana. This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and rural affairs correspondent Kirk Siegler.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bri
Which Democrats could be on the presidential ballot in 2028? May 29, 2026 1893 It was another busy week in politics. For our weekly news roundup, we discuss the Justice Department’s investigation into E. Jean Carroll, a writer who won two lawsuits against President Trump. We also discuss former First Lady Jill Biden’s comments about former President Joe Biden’s 2024 debate performance, as well as which Democrats might be on the 2028 presidential ballot.This episode: politica
How immigration courts are quietly speeding up deportations May 28, 2026 1253 After about two months on the job, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has shifted the agency’s immigration enforcement efforts toward tactics that generate fewer headlines but still result in mass deportations. We discuss what those tactics look like and how the Trump administration is using immigration to appeal to Republicans ahead of November’s election.This episode: political corresp

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