The NPR Politics Podcast
Episodes
How to watch the midterms like we do
This special episode of the NPR Politics Podcast analyzes the 2026 midterm elections, highlighting how structural Republican advantages clash with an unfavorable environment for the party.
How do you solve a problem like AI?
NPR Politics Podcast hosts Tamar Keith and Eric McDaniel, joined by technology correspondent John Ruich, explore the growing political urgency around AI regulation.
Voters say the American Dream is dead. Why?
Hosts discuss a Michigan swing voter focus group revealing strong opposition to Trump's tariffs due to rising prices and direct economic impacts.
Missouri's map mayhem
NPR Politics Podcast hosts Tamar Keith and Miles Parks, joined by St.
How 9/11 reshaped U.S. intelligence | Sources & Methods
Former intelligence officials and a congressional member reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, recounting their experiences during the attacks and the immediate aftermath.
The legacy of 9/11
This NPR Politics Podcast episode marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, featuring hosts Miles Parks, Greg Myre, and Ryan Lucas.
The young conservative movement post-Charlie Kirk
Hosts Miles Parks, Elena Moore, and Mara Liasson discuss President Trump’s new campaign promise of $5,000 checks to voters if Republicans win both chambers of Congress.
How Trump's immigration policy has evolved
The NPR Politics Podcast examines how the Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement beyond illegal entry to include legal visa holders and Temporary Protected Status recipients.
What is the GOP convention happening this week?
The NPR Politics Podcast examines the upcoming Republican "midterm convention" in Dallas, analyzing its strategy to energize voters despite President…
Trump's oil "deal" and gunboat diplomacy | Sources & Methods
This episode of the NPR Politics Podcast features a segment from *Sources and Methods* analyzing the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign policy in Latin America and the Middle East.
A tale of two Senate candidates
NPR hosts analyze two pivotal Senate races in Georgia and Michigan, where Democrats John Ossoff and Elissa Slotkin face uphill battles in states that voted for Trump.
What is democratic socialism?
NPR hosts Tamara Keith, Ashley Lopez, and Elena Moore explain democratic socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America’s role in recent primary upsets.
Answering your questions on the midterms & more
NPR hosts Tamar Keith, Ashley Lopez, and Mara Liasson answer listener questions about campaign finance, explaining how surplus funds are used or returned.
The big deal with a big debt
This episode explores the US federal debt surpassing $40 trillion, explaining how accumulated deficits drive up interest costs and private borrowing rates.
What happens if Trump tries to mess with the midterms?
Hosts discuss how Democrats in Congress are preparing for potential election interference by the Trump administration, including blocked executive orders and federal overreach.
What's going on with vote-by-mail?
NPR hosts Miles Parks, Tamara Keith, and Hanzi Loeng discuss President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Graham survives runoff with help from Trump's super PAC
The NPR Politics Podcast examines Donald Trump’s influence in the South Carolina Senate runoff, where his endorsed candidate won despite being a political newcomer.
What a trade war with Canada means for U.S. consumers
This episode examines the escalating trade war between the U.
How many noncitizens are on U.S. voter rolls?
NPR hosts Tamara Keith, Miles Parks, and Jude Jaffe-Block examine the Trump administration’s unsubstantiated claims of widespread non-citizen voting.
Roundup: carrier formations, calendars & corgis
The episode examines President Trump’s shifting foreign policy, including scaled-back military drills with South Korea and a carrier gap in the Pacific amid the Iran conflict.
Crime in the U.S. is down. Why?
Hosts Miles Parks, Ryan Lucas, and Tamara Keith analyze new FBI data showing a significant drop in U.
Takeaways from Tuesday's primaries
The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes primary results in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming, highlighting cracks in President Trump’s influence as his endorsed candidates lost in Florida and Wyoming.
What Florida's primaries tell us about American voters
Hosts Tamara Keith, Miles Parks, and Ashley Lopez analyze Florida’s primary elections, focusing on the governor’s race between Byron Donalds and David Jolly.
Why White House press secretaries still matter
NPR hosts analyze Caroline Levitt’s departure as White House press secretary, highlighting her combative style and the administration’s erosion of press relations.
Two planes, a president and a catering truck
Hosts Miles Parks, Deepa Shiveram, and Tom Bowman discuss President Trump’s secret plane switch from Air Force One due to Iranian missile threats,…
Is there a rift within the Democratic Party?
Hosts Miles Parks, Ashley Lopez, and Mara Liason analyze recent Democratic primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, highlighting a divide between progressive and centrist candidates.
Voters sent mixed messages in Tuesday's primaries
The NPR Politics Podcast analyzes mixed primary election results in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Carolina.
Women could be the deciding votes in Maine Senate race
Hosts analyze Maine’s Senate race, where Democrats aim to win women voters against incumbent Susan Collins amid issues like abortion and cost of living.
How Trump's focus on his legacy drives his decisions
The NPR Politics Podcast examines how President Trump’s obsession with his personal legacy influences his decision-making, particularly regarding the…
GOP grapples with misconduct allegations against two lawmakers
The NPR Politics Podcast covers the Senate's narrow confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General despite Republican opposition.
What is Trump's interest in Paramount’s merger with WB?
This episode examines the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros.
Progressives had a good night in Michigan
Hosts Tamara Keith and Ashley Lopez analyze primary results, focusing on Abdul El-Sayed’s upset victory in Michigan’s Senate race against establishment favorite Haley Stevens.
How the GOP plans to fight an anti-incumbent wave
NPR hosts analyze the midterm election landscape, noting a strong anti-incumbent mood and low approval for President Trump.
It's (still) the economy, stupid
NPR hosts Tamara Keith and Ashley Lopez join Scott Horsley to analyze the U.
Why is Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general in limbo?
The episode examines Senate Republicans blocking Todd Blanche’s AG nomination over disputes regarding a controversial anti-weaponization fund and tax immunity for Trump.
Who will Wisconsin Democrats pick to run for governor?
How power, corruption & lies influence voters' choices
The NPR Politics Podcast examines Democrats' strategy to highlight corruption as a key midterm theme, linking it to affordability concerns.