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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
The NPR Politics Podcast

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The NPR Politics Podcast

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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

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

President Donald Trump takes the oath of office Jan. 27, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Jim Bourg/AP hide caption

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Jim Bourg/AP

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith has been looking at what Donald Trump did in early 2017 when he first took office, and what might be different this time around.

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

Listen · 5:33
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In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a news conference Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

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George Walker IV/AP

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

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 former federal judicial employees spoke to NPR about their experience of mistreatment working for judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Listen · 27:39
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Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti speaks during a ceremony to award Mexican actor/singer/radio personality Angelica Vale a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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Chris Pizzello/AP

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Did Eric Garcetti, a powerful Democrat, lie under oath about a #MeToo scandal in his office?

Looking The Other Way, Part 1: A powerful Democrat and a #MeToo scandal

Listen · 41:04
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Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

The Los Angeles City Hall building is seen in downtown Los Angeles Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. Damian Dovarganes/AP hide caption

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Damian Dovarganes/AP

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

What happens when political ambition collides with a #MeToo allegation in the Democratic party?

Looking The Other Way Part 2: On tape and under oath

Listen · 42:52
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Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of TV

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Pool, via AP hide caption

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Pool, via AP

Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of 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 have little margin for error.

Roundup: Budget talks, cabinet meetings, and lots of TV

Listen · 21:00
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Trump's next foreign policy challenge: Syria

President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

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, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace.

Trump's next foreign policy challenge: Syria

Listen · 16:54
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How DOGE cuts are impacting federal workers

Elon Musk speaks as President Donald Trump holds his first Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. Pool, via AP hide caption

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Pool, via AP

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 millions of people who work for the federal government. We look at what's happened & what's to come.

How DOGE cuts are impacting federal workers

Listen · 16:37
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NPR exclusive: harassment in the federal court system

The logo for the Justice Department is seen before a news conference at the Department of Justice, Aug. 23, 2024, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

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Mark Schiefelbein/AP

NPR exclusive: harassment in the federal court system

People who work for the federal court system don't have the same kinds of job protections that most other Americans do.

NPR exclusive: harassment in the federal court system

Listen · 13:24
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Trump administration fires top Pentagon officials, military lawyers

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responds to a reporter's question before the start of a meeting with visiting Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon. Manuel Balce/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce/AP

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.

Trump administration fires top Pentagon officials, military lawyers

Listen · 12:39
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Roundup: Kash Patel confirmed as FBI chief; China sees opportunity as USAID gets cut

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's choice to be director of the FBI, is sworn in before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol. J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

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 "no."

Roundup: Kash Patel confirmed as FBI chief; China sees opportunity as USAID gets cut

Listen · 19:18
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