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.
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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
Episodes (140)
Suspect In Charlie Kirk Shooting Arrested
Officials said Friday that they have arrested the person they believe shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday. We discuss what we know about the alleged shooter, and why political...
How Charlie Kirk Shaped Conservative Politics
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University Wednesday. We discuss how the controversial Kirk shaped conservative politics.This episode: political...
Are Trump’s Immigration And Manufacturing Goals At Odds?
A recent immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in Georgia led to the detention of nearly 500 workers, most of them South Korean nationals. Lawyers for some of the immigrants say they...
RFK Jr. Under Fire Following Vaccine Changes And CDC Shakeup
Senators in both parties had harsh words for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a recent hearing. We discuss the health and political implications of the latest controversy surrounding the...
President Trump Asks Supreme Court To Uphold Tariffs
President Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold his authority to issue tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. We discuss the implications of a possible ruling — if...
Sources & Methods: Navy cartel strike, China's power flex
Today, we're sharing another episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's biggest national security news with NPR's team of...
Trump Administration Interpretation Of Civil Rights Act Reshapes Public Schools
President Trump pledged to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, but his administration is also using the department’s Office for Civil Rights to pressure local school districts to adhere to...
Court Says Trump Can’t Use 18th-Century Law To Deport Venezuelan Immigrants
A federal appeals court ruled this week that the Trump administration may not use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants without going through normal legal processes. We discuss the...
Trump Says D.C. Is Now ‘Crime Free.’ What’s The Reality?
After nearly a month of federal law enforcement and military personnel patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., President Trump says the District is a “crime-free zone.” We discuss what’s really...
Why Aren’t More Young Republicans Running For Congress?
Congress members have returned to Washington, as have partisan fights over Jeffrey Epstein and a possible government shutdown. We discuss what to expect on Capitol Hill, as well as why more young...
Sources & Methods: Trump's DC takeover, Ukraine, fired spy chief
Today, we're excited to share an episode from NPR's newest podcast, Sources & Methods. Each Thursday, host Mary Louise Kelly breaks down the week's biggest national security news with NPR's team of...
How Trump Is Remaking Culture To Fit His Worldview
President Trump has made unprecedented moves to influence American culture, from taking broadcast corporations to court to his efforts to control the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the...
Most GOP Congress Members Are Avoiding Town Halls, But One Held 15 In A Week
Most Republican members of Congress are shying away from holding town hall meetings, but Missouri Republican Mark Alford is bucking that trend. We discuss what goes on at Alford’s events and why more...
Many Latinos Who Backed Trump Say They Won't Support Republicans Next Time
Many Latinos who voted for President Trump in the last election say they are disappointed or even regret voting for him, according to recent polling. We discuss what’s behind the dissatisfaction and...
ICE Detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia Again
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who entered the United States illegally as a teen, was detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a mandatory check-in in Baltimore on Monday....
Is The U.S. Economy Beginning To Show The Effects Of Trump's Policies?
The United States is taking in roughly $30 billion a month in tariffs that cover a wide range of products. We discuss whether those tariffs have made their way into prices consumers pay, and how other...
How Openly Partisan Gerrymandering Is Becoming Normalized
President Trump called on Texas Republicans to redraw their state's congressional maps to favor Republican candidates. In response, California voters will get a chance to approve a plan to redraw...
How The Trump Admin Uses Immigration Policy To Show Force
As a candidate, Donald Trump campaigned on carrying out the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. As president, he's used immigration policy as a backdrop for other shows of force. We explore how...
Trump Falsely Claims Mail Ballots Are "Corrupt," Calls For Their Prohibition
The president also called for changing how ballots are tallied in elections. We unpack the president's claims, and discuss how presidential power is limited when it comes to election...
Trump, European Leaders Meet To Discuss Ukraine
On the heels of meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska, President Trump invited various European leaders & Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to the White House to discuss plans to...
Why Is The National Guard Patrolling Streets In Washington, D.C.?
President Trump has ordered Washington, D.C.'s National Guard to patrol the capital's streets, and members from other states' Guards are joining them. We look at why the Guard is in D.C., what it is...
Trump, Putin Meet In Alaska; No Deal On Ukraine Made
In a hastily arranged summit in Alaska, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met to discuss Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Although Trump has said there would be consequences for...
What To Expect From The Trump-Putin Summit In Alaska
President Trump is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss the war in Ukraine. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not be present. We...
Democrats Lean On Messages About Medicaid Cuts
Democratic lawmakers have been spending Congress’ August recess talking about the Medicaid cuts in President Trump's newly passed tax and spending bill. We discuss whether their messaging strategy is...
Exclusive: FEMA Didn’t Sufficiently Staff Disaster Hotline After Texas Floods
In the days after disastrous floods tore through Texas Hill Country last month, tens of thousands of calls to a federal aid hotline went unanswered, after FEMA failed to fund the call center. We...
President Trump Asserts Federal Control Of Washington, D.C.
President Trump announced plans Monday to exercise more federal control over Washington, D.C., including by taking control of the city’s police department and sending in National Guard troops. We...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
What Is MAGA Without Trump?
The "Make America Great Again," or MAGA, movement stands for loyalty to President Trump above all else. We discuss what happens to the movement once Trump's term ends and whether there is someone else...
The Trump Administration Takes On Higher Ed
The Trump administration says it is investigating whether dozens of universities have violated civil rights protections. We discuss the allegations, universities' settlements with the administration,...
President Trump Changes His Tone On The Crisis In Gaza
President Trump, apparently moved by photos of malnourished children and people struggling to find food, has shifted the way he talks about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We discuss the...
States Fight Federal Effort To Collect Personal Data Of Food Stamp Users
A coalition of 21 states and Washington, D.C. is challenging the Trump administration's demands that states hand over the personal data of people who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition...
Trump Administration Looks To Roll Back Some Benefits For DACA Recipients
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — for immigrants whose parents brought them illegally to the United States when they were children — offers participants protection from immigration...
Congress And Trump Play Tug-Of-War Over The 'Power Of The Purse'
Congress recently passed — at the White House's request — a rescission package that cancels $9 billion in spending Congress had previously approved. We discuss whether Congress has forfeited its power...
Trump's Attacks On Federal Reserve's Powell Could Bring Economic Pain
President Trump's attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell have been relentless. We discuss what it would mean if the United States no longer has a politically independent Federal Reserve. We...
What Bove's Nomination Says About Trump's Future Judge Picks
Emil Bove has been behind many of the Justice Department's most controversial recent decisions, and now he's President Trump's nominee to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. We discuss the controversy...
Is There A Playbook For Young Democratic Candidates — And Does It Work?
There are at least 10 Democratic candidates younger than 40 vying for seats in Congress in next year's elections. We discuss what has been successful for recent Gen Z and young millennial candidates,...
Texas GOP Hopes to Redraw Congressional Map And Keep Control Of U.S. House
New congressional districts are on the agenda for the special session that began in Texas on Monday. We discuss why Texas is redrawing its congressional map now and what it and similar efforts in...
Weekly Roundup: Trump Attacks Media Over Epstein Story
We review a busy week in Washington, including President Trump's response to a new report about his relationship with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and calls from the White House for more...
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Trump Plows Ahead With Plans To Dismantle Department Of Education
Two dozen states are suing the Trump administration over its decision to withhold about $6 billion in federal education grants. And the Supreme Court says the administration can go ahead with layoffs...
How The Trump Administration Is Amping Up Immigrant Deportations
The big tax and spending bill President Trump signed into law earlier this month included $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Supreme Court recently told the administration it...
MAGA Turns On Trump Over Handling Of Jeffrey Epstein Files
Before taking office, President Trump promised to release the FBI's files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Now he is urging his supporters to stop talking about Epstein. We discuss what the...
What Does The Federal Response To Texas Floods Indicate About FEMA's Future?
President Trump has said he is considering eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. We discuss FEMA's role in helping Texas communities recover from recent flash floods, and what...
Trump Announces New Tariffs And Gets Supreme Court's OK On Layoff Plans
The Supreme Court gave President Trump the green light to move forward with plans to lay off thousands of federal workers. We discuss the potential impacts of the ruling, plus new tariffs Trump...
Trump's Views On Russia-Ukraine War Are Shifting
During the campaign, President Trump promised a swift end to the war in Ukraine, but he has so far not been able to strike a deal to stop the fighting. We discuss the president's changing views on the...
The Justice Department Sues All The Federal Judges In Maryland
The Department of Justice has taken the rare step of suing all of the federal District Court judges in Maryland, after the Maryland court issued a 48-hour pause in every case where an immigrant was...
Inside Trump's Tax And Spending Law: Medicaid Cuts & A 'Backdoor Abortion Ban'
President Trump's new tax and spending law is expected to result in nearly 12 million Americans losing health insurance. Advocates say it also effectively reduces access to abortions even in states...
How President Trump's Tax & Spending Law Will Affect Americans' Wallets
President Trump has promised that his newly signed tax and spending law will be a boon for taxpayers and the economy as a whole. We dig into what the legislation really does and what it could mean for...
One Of The Cheapest Ways To Save A Life Is Going Away
From our friends at The Indicator from Planet Money: What's the price to save a human life? We examine the monumental legacy of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with...
Congress Delivers Trump A Win With Tax And Spending Bill
Congress narrowly passed President Trump's massive tax and spending bill this week. We discuss what the GOP victory could mean for the 2026 midterm elections. And, we look at the message the president...
Poll: Most Americans Think Democracy Is Under Serious Threat
Most Americans are worried about democracy, have little faith in their political leaders, and disapprove of President Trump's job performance, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. We...
Senate Passes Trump Tax Cut, Spending Bill
Vice President JD Vance had to break a 50-50 tie in the Senate in order for the bill to pass, after three Republicans joined with Democrats to vote against it. We look at what's in the bill, and what...
Exclusive: The Trump Administration Is Building A National Citizenship Data System
For decades, voting officials have noted that there was no national citizenship list to compare their state lists to, so to verify citizenship for their voters, they either needed to ask people to...
Weekly Roundup: Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions
The Supreme Court ruled Friday that federal courts exceeded their authority by issuing a nationwide injunction on President Trump's birthright citizenship order. We look at what that means for the...
How Trump Makes His Money, From Golf Courses To Crypto
From Trump Tower to Trump Steaks, President Trump's business ventures have always been about the Trump brand. What does that mean when the man behind the brand is back in the White House? Trump's...
Under Pressure? Trump Faces Key Deadlines on Hill, Tariffs and More
President Trump is nearing a critical juncture for several of his top priorities. He wants Congress to pass his sweeping legislative agenda by July 4th. His tariff pause expires on July 8th. And a...
Mission Accomplished? What We Know About The State of Iran's Nuclear Program.
President Trump and his Cabinet say Iran's nuclear program was "devastated," "obliterated," and "destroyed" by U.S. strikes this weekend. But the reality is it's much more complicated. As Iran and...
Iran Retaliates After U.S. Military Strikes. Now What?
Iran launched missile attacks on a U.S. Air Force base in Qatar following this weekend's U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. We break down what we know, and what risks this might pose for...
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. This...
Will The U.S. Get Involved In Military Action With Iran?
As Israel and Iran continue to launch aerial assaults against each other, there are growing questions as to whether the U.S. will get involved in the offensive, too. President Trump said he'd make a...
A Summer Treat: 'Weird Al' Yankovic On His Life & Career In Show Business
And now, a diversion from the news.When Weird Al's debut single, "My Bologna," came out, there wasn't really a model for how a parody artist could have any longevity in their career. Yet Al's figured...
How Iran Is Dividing the MAGA Base
As tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Iran, President Trump is now signaling an openness for more U.S. military involvement. We discuss what that might look like and how it is dividing...
How The Farm Industry Is Complicating Trump's Immigration Crackdown
Last week, President Trump suggested the agriculture industry might be spared from his immigration crackdown. But Tuesday, Homeland Security officials confirmed there would be no change to enforcement...
Political Violence In The U.S.
After the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers over the weekend, we look at what is motivating people to carry out acts of political violence, and what could cause the tone & tenor of associated...
Weekly Roundup: Israel vs. Iran, Immigration News, and A Mascot Love Triangle
Israel launched strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, killing at least three of Iran's top military leaders. We look at why Israel took these actions now, what Iran might do next, and how the conflict...
NPR Poll: Many Voters Give Trump Failing Grade
As Donald Trump approaches the 100th day of his second term, most voters are not impressed. Majorities disapprove of his performance on key issues, like immigration and the economy, and almost half...
What's Next For U.S. Involvement In Ukraine?
Since Russia's large scale invasion began in 2022, the U.S. has provided significant military aid to Ukraine. But Republicans, led by President Trump, are increasingly skeptical of providing more...
Trump's First 100 Days: Promises Made, Promises Kept
When running for office, Donald Trump promised to execute the largest deportation in American history and issue massive cuts to federal spending. In his administration's first 100 days, has he kept...
Trump's First 100 Days: Tariffs As Foreign Policy
Donald Trump has repeatedly said that "tariff" is "one of the most beautiful words in the dictionary." In his administration's first 100 days, Trump has introduced sweeping tariffs with a goal to...
Trump's First 100 Days: An Increase In Executive Power
When running for office, Donald Trump suggested that he "alone could fix" the ills befalling the United States. In his administration's first 100 days, he and his allies have moved quickly to expand...
Trump's First 100 Days: Wading Into The Culture Wars
On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump decried "gender ideology," said the military was becoming too "woke," and that DEI programs across the federal government should be ended. As president,...
Trump's First 100 Days: Project 2025 & Its Influence
The Heritage Foundation's "blueprint" for a new Republican administration got a lot of attention during the 2024 presidential campaign. While candidate Donald Trump said he "had never read" the...
Roundup: Trump Vs. The Fed; Harvard Fights Back
As the White House continued to adjust its tariff policies, President Trump lashed out against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, saying his "termination cannot come fast enough." Trump thinks the...
The Legal & Political Challenges To Trump's Deportation Plans
A federal judge ruled there is "probable cause" to find the Trump administration in contempt for violating an order last month to pause some deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. We discuss what...
Exclusive: Whistleblower Alleges DOGE May Have Taken Sensitive Labor Data
The entity known as DOGE has been used as part of the Trump administration's efforts to radically reshape the federal government. But a whistleblower alleges DOGE may have improperly accessed data at...
Trump: Man Wrongfully Deported To El Salvador Won't Return To U.S.
In an Oval Office meeting Monday with El Salvador's president, President Trump said Kilmar Abrego Garcia would not come back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court decision ordering the Trump...
Campus Activists Fear Trump Administration Crackdown
Much of the activism seen on college campuses last year in protest of Israel's war in Gaza is now under increased scrutiny as part of a policy that the Trump administration says is aimed at...
Roundup: Immigration Rulings; DOGE & Social Security Data
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration must "facilitate" the return of a man it mistakenly deported to El Salvador. How is the White House responding, and what happens next?...
Trump's Tariff Tug Of War
After days of market turmoil, President Trump walked back some tariffs on some countries, but kept a near universal 10 percent tariff in place and increased tariffs on goods from China. What's behind...
U.S. Trade War With China Escalates
Earlier this week, President Trump threatened to make the steep tariffs on China even steeper if China did not withdraw its retaliatory measures. Today, Trump kept his promise by levying a 104% tariff...
Trump Threatens To Cut Federal Funds For Colleges And Universities
Dozens of American universities are under investigation by the Trump administration for use of DEI initiatives and alleged anti-Semitism on campuses. The message is clear: comply with federal...
He Has A Purple Heart & Is A Convicted Felon. ICE Wants To Deport Him
An NPR exclusive: Deportation proceedings are underway for Jose Barco, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Barco came to the U.S. as a child, enlisted as a teenager, and, after his...
Roundup: Tariffs, HHS Cuts & Bodega Cats
The tariff plan rolled out by President Trump this week threatens to upend the global economic system. We look at the potential impacts. Then, widespread cuts at the Department of Health and Human...
Trump's Tariffs Take Shape — How Will They Impact You?
President Trump announced a blanket tariff on all imports to the U.S., and additional, specific tariffs on dozens of countries. How will this change in trade policy impact consumers? This episode:...
What Happened In Tuesday's Elections
Money poured into races in Florida and Wisconsin at levels usually reserved for elections during a presidential cycle. Republicans held two House seats in Florida, but by smaller margins than their...
Trump & Presidential Term Limits
The president has flirted with — and walked back — suggestions he would seek a third term in office, which runs counter to the 22nd Amendment's provisions on term limits. But that's not stopping...
A Look At This Week's Special House Elections In Florida
Races to fill two vacant seats in Florida's first and sixth congressional districts are getting a lot of attention. Despite Republicans having a long history of success in both, Democrats think they...
Weekly Roundup: Tariffs, Texts & Turtles
President Trump signaled more tariffs would come in April, signed an executive order about voting, & withdrew the nomination of his proposed United Nations ambassador. We look at that and more in our...
Why Does Donald Trump Want Greenland?
First floated in President Trump's first term, talks of the United States annexing or otherwise acquiring Greenland have escalated in recent weeks. With the vice president and other government...
DOGE's Potential Impact On Social Security & The VA
The Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal government have now set their sights on how the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs could be reformed. But...
Defense Officials Used Group Text To Plan Missile Strikes
Before the U.S. carried out missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, senior Trump administration officials discussed the plan of action. Also part of the discussion: Jeffrey Goldberg, the...
Sanders, AOC Rally To Motivate Democrats
The two politicians are pushing a message that is both critical of President Trump & his policies, and of Democrats for not doing enough, in their view, to fight back in response.This episode:...
Roundup: Potential Ukraine Ceasefire; Trump Attacks Judiciary
President Trump spoke separately to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts this week to try and hammer out a peace deal to end the war. We explore what's in the deal and what chances it has to...
How Trump's Tariffs Are Impacting U.S. Farmers
Many U.S. farmers have evolved under free trade and grown dependent on exporting food. With tariffs already impacting the cost of U.S. exports, how will farmers handle renewed changes in trade...
Why Wisconsin's Supreme Court Election Matters Nationally
Tens of millions are being spent. Donald Trump, Jr. and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) are holding rallies for their preferred candidates. It's the kind of thing seen for statehouse or congressional races —...
Dems In Disarray? Finding Unity In The Caucus
After bruising losses in November's elections, Democrats are trying to figure out how to unite their many factions behind a common set of ideas & objectives. Infighting in the party itself, though,...
What Is The Alien Enemies Act?
The Trump administration used the 18th century law as justification for deporting hundreds of alleged gang members. Why was it invoked, and what does its use mean for future immigration action? This...
Roundup: Shutdown Threat, Tariffs & Ukraine
Congressional Democrats are at odds as to whether or not to support Republican-led efforts to keep the government funded ahead of a Friday deadline. We look at the divisions.Then, the White House...
Trump's Latest Efforts To Reduce The Federal Workforce
Since taking office, President Trump has championed the idea of reducing the federal workforce. A February 26 memo gave agencies until today to come up with a plan for that reduction. What does this...
Trump's Efforts To Consolidate Executive Branch Power
Since returning to office, President Trump has moved quickly to reshape the federal government. His actions, which have moved to put more power under his purview, align with a belief in some...
Who Is Mahmoud Khalil, The Protester The Trump Admin Wants To Deport?
While studying at Columbia University, Khalil helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus relating to Israel's war with Gaza. He was taken into ICE custody Saturday, and the Trump administration...
Measles Returns — Here's What You Need To Know
Hundreds have been infected and two have died as measles outbreaks have occurred in West Texas and New Mexico. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a vaccine skeptic, has given...
Roundup: DOGE's Power Checked; Vance's Role Evolves
In a cabinet meeting this week, President Trump affirmed that while DOGE — the entity meant to reshape the federal government, with Elon Musk as figurehead — has the ability to advise changes, Musk...
Trump's Tariff Tumult
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to enact tariffs on some of the United States' largest trading partners. As president, he has made good on that promise — but with more than a few...
How Trump's Immigration Policy Is Taking Shape
Immigration was a major campaign issue for Donald Trump as he sought to return to the White House. Now that he's back, what policies has he implemented, and how to do they align with what he promised...
Trump Defends Agenda In Combative Address
In the longest address of its kind before Congress in recent memory, President Trump laid out his policy objectives on the economy, immigration, foreign policy & other topics. He was repeatedly...
Poll: Majority Thinks Trump Is Making Changes Too Quickly
In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, a majority of respondents think the state of the union is not strong, and that President Trump is moving too quickly in trying to reshape the federal government....
NPR Investigation: Harassment In The Federal Court System
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...
Roundup: Congress Works On Budget; Cabinet Meets; Good TV
Congress is trying to come up with a new budget, while also attempting to extend tax cuts put in place during President Trump's first term. But with a very small majority in both houses, Republicans...
Trump's Next Foreign Policy Challenge: Syria
Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration's goals,...
How DOGE Cuts Are Impacting Federal Workers
Proposals from DOGE, Elon Musk's entity tasked with making the federal government more "efficient," have resulted in lawsuits, pushback from other federal agencies, and a lot of uncertainty for the...
NPR Exclusive: Harassment In The Federal Judiciary
People who work for the federal court system don't have the same kinds of job protections that most other Americans do. A nearly year-long NPR investigation has found problems with the way the courts...
Trump Administration Fires Top Pentagon Officials, Military Lawyers
Over the weekend, the Trump administration fired several high-ranking military leaders and announced it plans to fire over 5,000 probationary Pentagon employees starting this week. This episode:...
Roundup: Kash Patel Confirmed As FBI Chief; China Sees Opportunity As USAID Gets Cut
Kash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI director yesterday despite questions about his qualifications. The vote was the narrowest in recent memory with two Republicans joining the Democrats in voting...
McConnell Announces His Retirement And Trump Signs Another Executive Order
Sen. Mitch McConnell announced today that he would not seek reelection when his term is over in 2026, ending his 40-year career in Congress. Then, Donald Trump signed another executive order on...
Dems Face Pressure To Fight Trump
Democrats lost the Senate and the White House in November's elections. Now as a minority party, their representatives — and their voters — are trying to figure out what to do next, and how to provide...
How Trump Changed U.S. Policy Toward Ukraine
President Trump has shifted U.S. policy regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia. On Tuesday, The U.S. and Russia met for peace talks — without Ukraine — with a goal to ending the conflict. What's...
Is Trump's Economy Taking Shape?
He campaigned on lowering the cost of household goods, but inflation remains outside the range the Federal Reserve desires, and the cost of eggs, among other items, remains higher than usual. What...
Weekly Roundup: Eric Adams; More Trump Nominees Confirmed
The Department of Justice instructed prosecutors to dismiss federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Rather than abiding by the order, many prosecutors have resigned in...
DOGE's Quest To Reshape Government Continues
The unit, led by Elon Musk, has run into legal obstacles as it continues its rapid efforts to change the way the federal government functions. We look at the latest developments.This episode: White...
Navigating Trump's Foreign Policy
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promoted an "America First" approach. How does that translate to how the U.S. works with other countries? This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and...
How Canada & Mexico Respond To Trump's Tariffs
Alongside newly announced universal tariffs on aluminum and steel imports, President Trump has levied tariffs, currently on hold, on a number of goods from Canada and Mexico. How are those countries...
Trump's Latest Target: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The government agency formed in the wake of the Great Recession acts to regulate financial products, like credit cards & mortgages. But, conservatives have never liked the CFPB, and its new acting...
Friday Roundup: Trump's Efforts To Overhaul Bureaucracy, FBI
The Trump administration's offer for federal employees to resign now and keep their pay and benefits through September has been paused for now. What happens next with the so-called fork in the road....
Trump Wants To Turn Gaza Into The "Riviera Of The Middle East"
At a Tuesday press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump said he wanted the U.S. to own Gaza and he would transform it into the "Riviera of the Middle East." What...
Congressional Republicans OK With Shifting Power Dynamics
Congress is supposed to hold the power of the purse. So what do Republicans in Congress think about what appears to be President Trump and Elon Musk's "cut first, ask later" approach? This episode:...
Elon Musk's DOGE Takes Control Of Federal Spending
Elon Musk is keeping his campaign promise of trying to cut $2 trillion of federal spending through his unit, DOGE. After some questions about his role, the White House announced that he is now a...
Trump Attempts To Shut Down USAID And Imposes Tariffs
This past weekend, President Trump imposed new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. He has since walked back the 25% on Mexican imports after a conversation with Mexico's president. The others are...
Friday Roundup: More Hearings And Trump's First Two Weeks In Office
Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI, and Tulsi Gabbard, his nominee for intelligence chief, had their hearings on Capitol Hill. Will they be confirmed?Then, a look back at President Trump's first...
White House Walks Back Federal Funding Memo
On Monday, the White House budget office ordered a freeze on all federal funding. Yesterday, the White House walked that memo back after days of chaos and confusion. This episode: White House...
RFK Jr. Confirmation Hearing
During his confirmation hearing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's pick to run Health and Human Services, defended his stances on vaccines and abortion access.This episode: White House...
White House Memo Puts Federal Funding On Hold
The White House budget office has ordered a pause on all federal grants, loans, and financial assistance programs according to a memo released Monday. What is known about this pause so far, what does...
How Trump Is Governing In His Second Term
This past weekend, President Trump showed the country how he plans to govern in his second term. On Friday, he fired independent inspectors general and on Sunday, he threatened Colombia with a trade...
How Trump's Executive Actions Are Impacting Federal Workers
President Trump campaigned on a promise of mass deportation and reducing the size of the federal workforce. Has he followed through on those promises? And what impacts do they have? Then, everyone's...
Trump Declared A "National Energy Emergency." Now What?
During his inaugural address, President Trump said, "I will also declare a national energy emergency — we will drill, baby, drill." What does that declaration mean — not only for the energy industry,...
Trump Rolls Back Federal DEI Rules
The president argues such programs, meant to increase the diversity of the federal workforce, were discriminatory in nature. The actions place employees staffing federal DEI programs on leave, and...
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