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Domenico Montanaro Domenico Montanaro is a senior political editor/correspondent for the Washington Desk
Domenico Montanaro - 2015
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Domenico Montanaro

Friday

Roundup: tariffs, texts & turtles

President Donald Trump walks from the Oval Office to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House en route to Florida, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

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Mark Schiefelbein/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

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 weekly roundup.

Roundup: tariffs, texts & turtles

Listen · 21:41
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President Donald Trump, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen to a question from a reporter during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13.

President Donald Trump, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen to a question from a reporter during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

Signal chat fallout, tariff tension — and 3 more takeaways from Trump's week

Here, five takeaways from a week when the Trump administration has had to deal with the Signal chat leak, announced new tariffs and made more deportations.

Thursday

Politics

Trump pulls Stefanik nomination for UN to ensure GOP keeps her House seat

President Trump on Thursday said he is withdrawing his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be ambassador to the United Nations because he needs her to stay in Congress.

Trump pulls Stefanik nomination for UN to ensure GOP keeps her House seat

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Wednesday

Politics

Trump is making many moves, and he says he has a mandate that justifies them

President Trump claims the 2024 election provided him with a mandate that justifies even the most controversial actions by his administration. It's a common claim for presidents, but not always an accurate one.

Trump is making many moves, and he says he has a mandate that justifies them

Listen · 3:49
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Monday

Sanders, AOC rally to motivate Democrats

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, greets Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as they speak during a stop of their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour that filled Civic Center Park, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Denver. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

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David Zalubowski/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

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.

Sanders, AOC rally to motivate Democrats

Listen · 12:26
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Friday

Roundup: Ukraine peace talks; Trump's attacks on judiciary

President Donald Trump gestures after signing executive order in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 20, 2025. Ben Curtis/AP hide caption

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Ben Curtis/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

Roundup: Ukraine peace talks; Trump's attacks on 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 succeed.

Roundup: Ukraine peace talks; Trump's attacks on judiciary

Listen · 24:04
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President Donald Trump gestures to U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts after his swearing-in ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.

President Donald Trump gestures to U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts after his swearing-in ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

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Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

Courts push back, wars heat up and 3 more takeaways from Trump's moves this week

Here are five takeaways from a week when President Trump moved ahead with deportations and sweeping changes to the federal government — and ran into obstacles in the courts.

Wednesday

Why one state election is getting more than $60 million in ad spending

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford participate in a debate Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Milwaukee. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Morry Gash/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

Why one state election is getting more than $60 million in ad spending

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 — not necessarily state supreme court elections. We look at Wisconsin's upcoming state supreme court election, and why it is getting so much national attention.

Why one state election is getting more than $60 million in ad spending

Listen · 11:30
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Tuesday

Politics

Democrats aren't unified in their response to President Trump's executive actions

Democrats have grown increasingly frustrated with party leadership, which is struggling to find its footing in opposing President Trump's quick and broad actions.

Democratic Party leadership outlook

Listen · 4:35
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Friday

President Trump speaks to the press as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday.

President Trump speaks to the press as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

Trump says the U.S. is in a 'period of transition' — and more takeaways from this week

This week, President Trump continued to threaten tariffs as DOGE continued its cuts of the federal workforce. It was another consequential and news-packed week in Trump's presidency.

Monday

Measles returns — here's what you need to know

A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. Mary Conlon/AP hide caption

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Mary Conlon/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

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 conflicting advice to people wanting to avoid infection. Why are vaccination rates declining, and what do these outbreaks mean for public health in the U.S.?

Measles returns — here's what you need to know

Listen · 13:57
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Friday

Roundup: DOGE's power checked; Vance's role evolves

In this picture taken through a window, Elon Musk and then-Vice President-elect JD Vance attend the NCAA college football game between Army and Navy at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Stephanie Scarbrough/AP hide caption

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Stephanie Scarbrough/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

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 does not have the power to fire government staffers.

Roundup: DOGE's power checked; Vance's role evolves

Listen · 21:45
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President Trump arrives for a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4.

President Trump arrives for a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4. Win McNamee/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Win McNamee/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Analysis

Politics

The short history of Trump's tariff chaos — and more that happened this week

It was a week that saw not only more twists in the tariffs saga but also Trump's big Hill address, the suspension of aid to Ukraine, more firings at agencies, and more. NPR keeps track, day by day.

Wednesday

Monday

NPR poll: Majority thinks Trump is making changes too quickly

President Donald Trump gestures as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House, Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Washington, after returning from a trip to Florida. Mark Schiefelbein/AP hide caption

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Mark Schiefelbein/AP

The NPR Politics Podcast

NPR 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 poll: Majority thinks Trump is making changes too quickly

Listen · 14:20
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