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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

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

What Does It Mean To Be A Republican Or A Democrat In The Trump Era?

The Democrat and Republican switches are seen on a lever voting machine on display during an open house and talk on the origins of the secret ballot at the New Hampshire State Archives, on Oct. 24, 2024, in Concord, N.H. Charles Krupa/Associated Press hide caption

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Charles Krupa/Associated Press

What Does It Mean To Be A Republican Or A Democrat In The Trump Era?

The lines between what the Republican and Democratic parties believe have blurred since President Trump first became candidate Trump in 2015. We discuss how the parties — and their supporters — have shifted, and where they go from here.

What Does It Mean To Be A Republican Or A Democrat In The Trump Era?

Listen · 21:09
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Trump administration pushes Russia-friendly plan to end war in Ukraine

President Donald Trump, left, greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/Associated Press hide caption

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Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Trump administration pushes Russia-friendly plan to end war in Ukraine

The Trump administration is attempting to push through a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia that many have criticized as heavily favoring Russia. We discuss the proposal and the chances for a lasting peace.

Trump Administration Pushes Russia-Friendly Plan To End War In Ukraine

Listen · 17:43
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What we find 'most' interesting about covering politics (Politics+)

In today's bonus episode, Mara Liasson (national political correspondent) and Ashley Lopez (political correspondent) each share what they find "most" interesting about covering politics. We also ask Mara about how the job has changed during the Trump administration.  

What we find 'most' interesting thing about covering politics (Politics+)

New poll results show Democrats with an edge, topping off tough week for Trump

President Donald Trump speaks during the Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/Associated Press hide caption

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Evan Vucci/Associated Press

New poll results show Democrats with an edge, topping off tough week for Trump

From a rare political turn-about on the Epstein files, to a judicial slap-back on his redistricting plan in Texas, President Trump had a tough week. Is his grip on the Republican Party starting to break? Plus, a new poll shows Democrats with a big advantage going into the midterms.

New Poll Results Show Democrats With An Edge, Topping Off Tough Week For Trump

Listen · 21:38
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U.S. had better-than-expected job growth in September

A job seeker waits to talk to a recruiter at a job fair Aug. 28, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. Marta Lavandier/Associated Press hide caption

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Marta Lavandier/Associated Press

U.S. had better-than-expected job growth in September

The September jobs report, released belatedly on Thursday, shows the United States added 119,000 jobs, beating expectations, but the unemployment rate went up. We discuss what the data tells us about the economy and how the Trump administration is responding to the news.

U.S. Had Better-Than-Expected Job Growth In September

Listen · 18:20
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Hundreds Of Immigrants Arrested In Chicago Lack Criminal Records

The badge of a Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is shown near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Ill., Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. Erin Hooley/Associated Press hide caption

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Erin Hooley/Associated Press

Hundreds Of Immigrants Arrested In Chicago Lack Criminal Records

A look at more than 600 immigrants arrested since the Trump administration began amped up immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago finds almost none have convictions. We discuss what enforcement tactics looked like on the ground and what to expect as enforcement ramps up in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Hundreds Of Immigrants Arrested In Chicago Lack Criminal Records

Listen · 16:44
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Trump says he won’t 'rule out' sending troops to Venezuela

President Donald Trump points to a reporter in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/Associated Press hide caption

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Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Trump says he won’t 'rule out' sending troops to Venezuela

President Trump says he won’t “rule out” sending troops to Venezuela, and over the weekend, the world’s largest aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea. We discuss why the United States has amassed such a large military presence in the region, and what reasons the Trump administration might have for targeting Venezuela specifically.

Trump Says He Won’t ‘Rule Out’ Sending Troops To Venezuela

Listen · 13:21
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22 million could lose healthcare subsidies next month, unless Congress acts

An insurance agent talks with clients inside the main location of Las Madrinas de los Seguros, Spanish for "The Godmothers of Insurance," at a shopping center in Miami, on Dec. 5, 2023. Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press hide caption

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Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press

22 million could lose healthcare subsidies next month, unless Congress acts

The subsidies roughly 22 million Americans rely on to help pay for their health insurance are set to expire at the end of next month unless Congress votes to extend them. We discuss the debate on the Hill, and what would happen to the Affordable Care Act without the subsidies.

22 Million Could Lose Healthcare Subsidies Next Month, Unless Congress Acts

Listen · 16:37
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House releases 23,000 pages of Epstein documents, Trump calls it a ‘hoax’

President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the East Room of the White House, on Nov. 13, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/Associated Press hide caption

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Evan Vucci/Associated Press

House releases 23,000 pages of Epstein documents, Trump calls it a ‘hoax’

The House Oversight Committee has released 23,000 pages of documents from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We discuss what new information is in the documents and whether the release puts new political pressure on President Trump.

House Releases 23,000 Pages Of Epstein Documents, Trump Calls It A ‘Hoax’

Listen · 28:07
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Healthcare subsidies aren’t in the deal to reopen the government. What is?

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., walks from the chamber to speak with reporters after the final vote to bring the longest government shutdown in history to an end, at the Capitol in Washington, on Nov. 12, 2025. J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press

Healthcare subsidies aren’t in the deal to reopen the government. What is?

The government shutdown is over, after Congress passed a deal Wednesday that funds the government through the end of January. The deal does not extend expiring health insurance subsidies, but it does include a provision allowing several Senate Republicans to sue the government for millions. We discuss what’s in the deal and what comes next.

Healthcare Subsidies Aren’t In The Deal To Reopen The Government. What Is?

Listen · 18:02
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