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

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

Elon Musk speaks as part of a campaign town hall in support of Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in Folsom, Pa., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

Elon Musk is a Donald Trump Mega-Donor

Elon Musk has gone all in on Trump and put $75 million into a super PAC he created to support the candidate. He's also assisting with get-out-the-vote operations, including offering multiple giveaways of a million dollars to registered voters in key states who sign a petition. This may or may not be legal.

Elon Musk is a Donald Trump Mega-Donor

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In this Dec. 15, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump sits with Attorney General Jeff Sessions during the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony in Quantico, Va. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

How Trump could use the federal courts and Justice Department to investigate foes

Former President Donald Trump has talked about using the Department of Justice to go after those he sees as disloyal, raising concerns about democratic institutions and civil rights. And a Supreme Court decision recently affirmed that Trump and future presidents have sweeping immunity from prosecution for core acts they take as part of their office, including contacts with the Justice Department.

How Trump could use the federal courts and Justice Department to investigate foes

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The United States Capitol building on October 4, 2023. Catie Dull/NPR hide caption

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Catie Dull/NPR

Republicans are likely to win the Senate; House is a tossup: what to watch.

The House of Representatives is currently narrowly controlled by Republicans, but with both Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries campaigning aggressively around the country, the chamber could go either way. And with Republicans favored to win in Montana and West Virginia, that party will likely gain control of the Senate. What are the key issues in these campaigns?

Republicans are likely to win the Senate; House is a tossup: what to watch.

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A street sign showing Detroit's city limits is shown along Ford Road in Detroit, Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

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Paul Sancya/AP

It all matters in a race this close: ground game, sexism and Trump's event mishaps

Both candidates were together in Michigan this weekend started their weekends in Michigan, where Vice President Harris made use of Republican validators and Trump's own words to make her closing argument: returning Trump to office would be calamitous for American values and institutions. And Donald Trump battled production issues that left him visibly angered on stage and doubled down on his closing message — immigration and Harris' fitness for office.

It all matters in a race this close: ground game, sexism and Trump's event mishaps

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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris departs after speaking at a campaign rally at the Resch Expo in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

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Susan Walsh/AP

Roundup: Harris, Trump campaigns hit overdrive

As Election Day nears, the campaigns of both Kamala Harris & Donald Trump kicked into high gear. Both are holding rallies & making media appearances to make their cases to a small group of still undecided or persuadable voters.

Roundup: Harris, Trump campaigns hit overdrive

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TOP: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. BOTTOM: Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign event at Washington Crossing Historic Park, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Washington Crossing, Pa. Alex Brandon & Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon & Jacquelyn Martin/AP

They hate Biden. They hate Trump. One's gone. Now what?

As campaign season started, many American voters expressed a dislike of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. With Biden's exit from the presidential race, Kamala Harris' entrance, and voting season drawing to a close, how have their views shifted — and is their dislike still strong?

They hate Biden. They hate Trump. One's gone. Now what?

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Alexander Castillo-Nunez, a civic engagement coordinator at the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., shows a voter information pamphlet at an Arizona Native Vote booth during an Indigenous Peoples' Day event, Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, in Phoenix. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

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Ross D. Franklin/AP

Abortion, immigration, a Senate race & more: Arizonans vote

Between a competitive Senate race, a measure to liberalize abortion rights & a measure concerning immigration, Arizona voters have a lot on their ballots this fall other than the presidential race. We take a look at the issues.

Abortion, immigration, a Senate race & more: Arizonans vote

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People leave after voting in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, Ga., on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, the first day of early in-person voting in Georgia. Jeff Amy/AP hide caption

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Jeff Amy/AP

Voters cast ballots as Harris, Trump campaign

Polls ahead of Election Day show an ever tightening race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. We look at their campaign plans this week, and what the polls tell us about what could happen when voting ends.

Voters cast ballots as Harris, Trump campaign

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"I Voted" stickers, which were designed by New Hampshire fourth grade students, are displayed on a table at Pinkerton Academy , Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, in Derry, N.H. Charles Krupa/AP hide caption

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Charles Krupa/AP

How to run an election

Voting looks a little different in 2024 than it did during the last presidential election. In this encore of a September episode, we explore some of the changes & challenges as voting begins, alongside NPR's voter registration guide.

How to run an election

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Kristie Cunningham, an election clerk for Polk County Iowa, walks through secrecy envelope packages at the Polk County Elections Office in Des Moines, Iowa, Monday, Nov. 1, 2004. STEVEN SENNE/AP hide caption

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STEVEN SENNE/AP

Politics Roundup: Trump visits Colorado to stoke anti-migrant fears; Obama courts men

Donald Trump campaigns in Aurora, Colorado today, a city that he's targeted with the brand of anti-immigrant rhetoric that has propelled his reelection effort. And Vice President Harris has a new surrogate out on the campaign trail: Barack Obama, who is calling out Black men for what he sees as sexist reluctance to support Harris.

Politics Roundup: Trump visits Colorado to stoke anti-migrant fears; Obama courts men

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