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

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

Breaking down the deal to end the government shutdown

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters about Democratic victories on Election Day, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025, day 36 of the government shutdown. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

Breaking down the deal to end the government shutdown

The Senate has advanced a plan to end the government shutdown, after a group of Democrats broke with leadership to vote for the deal. We discuss what’s in the deal and what to make of the politics of it. Can Democrats claim a win?

Breaking Down The Deal To End The Government Shutdown

Listen · 15:28
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5604228/nx-s1-mx-5800732" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

An Oval Office interview, and a surprise medical bill... (Politics+)

In today's bonus episode, Mara Liasson (national political correspondent) and Ashley Lopez (political correspondent) each share the "most" memorable interview or story they've done. Mara recounts her interview with President Bill Clinton in 1998, on the day the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke. Ashley tells us about the real world impact of a story she did on surprise medical billing. 

The NPR Politics Podcast-11.09.2025

Takeaways From Democrats’ Election Wins Up And Down The Ballot

Voters fill out their ballot Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Detroit. Paul Sancya/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Takeaways From Democrats’ Election Wins Up And Down The Ballot

Democrats had a good day on Tuesday, winning up and down the ballot across the country. We discuss what lessons the down-ballot victories offer, as well as what the Democratic and Republican parties can learn from this week’s election results.

Takeaways From Democrats’ Election Wins Up And Down The Ballot

Listen · 27:52
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5600974/nx-s1-mx-5797590" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Supreme Court weighs Trump’s tariffs and the limits of presidential power

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, on April 2, 2025, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press

Supreme Court weighs Trump’s tariffs and the limits of presidential power

The Supreme Court heard arguments this week about whether President Trump overstepped the limits of his power when he implemented widespread tariffs to address trade deficits. We discuss what both sides argue and the potential ramifications of the court striking down the president’s tariff policy.

Supreme Court Weighs Trump’s Tariffs And The Limits Of Presidential Power

Listen · 17:08
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5600710/nx-s1-mx-5795333" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Democrats see big election wins from California to New York City

Democrat Abigail Spanberger walks out on stage after she was declared the winner of the Virginia governor's race during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Va. Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Stephanie Scarbrough/Associated Press

Democrats see big election wins from California to New York City

Democrats saw major wins in Tuesday’s elections, from California’s redistricting ballot measure to gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and the mayoral race in New York City. We discuss what the results say about the future of the Democratic Party and to what extent the wins reflect a referendum on President Trump.

Democrats See Big Election Wins From California To New York City

Listen · 20:12
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5598278/nx-s1-mx-5792653" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Four races to watch this Election Day

A voter completes their ballot at a voting site, in New York, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Richard Drew/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Richard Drew/Associated Press

Four races to watch this Election Day

Tuesday is the last day voters in New Jersey and Virginia can cast ballots in their states’ gubernatorial races, as well as the end of voting in California’s redistricting ballot measure contest and New York City’s mayoral race. We discuss the big takeaways from each of those contests and what lessons they offer about the 2026 midterm elections.

Four Races To Watch This Election Day

Listen · 17:16
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5597890/nx-s1-mx-5791309" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Trade deals, red carpets and a gold crown: takeaways from Trump’s Asia trip

President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as he receives a gift of a gold crown and an award of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, not seen, during a high honor ceremony at the Gyeongju National Museum in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 29, 2025. Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press

Trade deals, red carpets and a gold crown: takeaways from Trump’s Asia trip

President Trump recently returned from a week-long trip to Asia. We discuss the president’s speech to military troops in Japan, what came out of Trump’s highly watched meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, and the fact that all of this happened during a month-long federal government shutdown. 

Trade Deals, Red Carpets And A Gold Crown: Takeaways From Trump’s Asia Trip

Listen · 18:44
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5595799/nx-s1-mx-5789161" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How redistricting could reshape the midterms (Live 10th Anniversary Special)

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots at a polling place at Rowan College in Mt Laurel, N.J., on Oct. 27, 2025. Matt Rourke/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Matt Rourke/Associated Press

How redistricting could reshape the midterms (Live 10th Anniversary Special)

The NPR Politics Podcast celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special live show. We discuss how unusual mid-decade redistricting efforts could alter the landscape for the midterms, as well as some of the major themes to watch as the election draws closer.

How Redistricting Could Reshape The Midterms (Live 10th Anniversary Special)

Listen · 44:55
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5587865/nx-s1-mx-5785298" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Trump promised to designate antifa a terrorist group. Why does that matter?

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable meeting on antifa in the State Dining Room at the White House, on Oct. 8, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Trump promised to designate antifa a terrorist group. Why does that matter?

During a roundtable at the White House earlier this month, President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate antifa, the far-left movement opposing fascism, as a foreign terrorist organization. We discuss whether the Trump administration can legally do that, and even if it can’t, the significance of the president suggesting it. 

Trump Promised To Designate Antifa A Terrorist Group. Why Does That Matter?

Listen · 18:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5589166/nx-s1-mx-5782705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Millions of Americans set to lose federal food aid Nov. 1 due to shutdown

Volunteers Cindy Leiva, left, and David Simon, right, help load a vehicle during a food distribution targeting federal employee households affected by the federal shutdown as well as SNAP recipients, on Oct. 27, 2025, in San Antonio. Eric Gay/Associated Press hide caption

toggle caption
Eric Gay/Associated Press

Millions of Americans set to lose federal food aid Nov. 1 due to shutdown

Millions of Americans are set to lose federal food assistance on Nov. 1, unless lawmakers step in. We discuss how food banks are handling the imminent crisis and whether the deadline will push congressional leaders back to the negotiating table.

Millions Of Americans Set To Lose Federal Food Aid Nov. 1 Due To Shutdown

Listen · 18:05
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="/cats-d8c4vu/www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5588543/nx-s1-mx-5781001" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
or search npr.org

Follow Lee on X/Twitter - Father, Husband, Serial builder creating AI, crypto, games & web tools. We are friends :) AI Will Come To Life!

Check out: eBank.nz (Art Generator) | Netwrck.com (AI Tools) | Text-Generator.io (AI API) | BitBank.nz (Crypto AI) | ReadingTime (Kids Reading) | RewordGame | BigMultiplayerChess | WebFiddle | How.nz | Helix AI Assistant