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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
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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

Will record TSA wait times spur a DHS funding deal?

A TSA worker, left, screens an airline passenger at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP

Will record TSA wait times spur a DHS funding deal?

Thursday marks the 41st day since funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed, and congressional negotiators seem to be at a stalemate. We discuss where each side stands and how public frustration over long airport security lines could pressure lawmakers to reach a deal.

Will record TSA wait times spur a DHS funding deal?

Listen · 16:08
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In Iran, Trump is both escalating and deescalating

Iranian Red Crescent emergency workers use a bulldozer to clear rubble from a residential building that was hit in an earlier U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 23, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP hide caption

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Vahid Salemi/AP

In Iran, Trump is both escalating and deescalating

President Trump began the week with an announcement that administration officials were having “very good and productive conversations” with Iranian officials about ending the war there, then sent more troops to the region. We discuss the state of negotiations to end the war and the conflicting messages the president is sending with his words and actions.

In Iran, Trump is both escalating and deescalating

Listen · 15:56
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Democrats’ long-shot bid to flip Alaska’s Senate seat

People waiting to vote Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, stand in a long line that wrapped around the Alaska Division of Elections regional office in Anchorage, Alaska. Mark Thiessen/AP hide caption

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Mark Thiessen/AP

Democrats’ long-shot bid to flip Alaska’s Senate seat

Democrats are hoping for an upset in Alaska’s Senate race. U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. We discuss the major issues at play, plus why Republicans are backing an effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system.

Democrats’ long-shot bid to flip Alaska’s Senate seat

Listen · 22:27
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Trump's name and face are on all the things

The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 in Washington. Rahmat Gul/AP hide caption

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Rahmat Gul/AP

Trump's name and face are on all the things

President Trump could soon have his face on two separate coins, a commemorative one to honor the country's 250th birthday and a $1 coin. We discuss the long list of other government entities that have added Trump's name or face and why it matters. 

Trump’s name and face are on all the things

Listen · 18:38
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What's the Trump administration's strategy in Iran?

President Trump arrives for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy presentation with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

What's the Trump administration's strategy in Iran?

The United States has entered the third week of its war with Iran, but the end game is no clearer today than it was at the start of the war. We talk about what may come next, why NATO allies are rebuffing President Trump's requests for help & what the political implications are.

What's the Trump administration's strategy in Iran?

Listen · 24:47
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Sparks fly at DHS confirmation hearing, but Trump’s pick clears committee

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., President Donald Trump's pick for Homeland Security secretary, testifies during Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Sparks fly at DHS confirmation hearing, but Trump’s pick clears committee

President Trump’s pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, advanced past the Senate Homeland Security Committee, even after Mullin clashed with committee chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., at Wednesday’s hearing. We discuss what new leadership would mean for immigration enforcement operations.

Sparks fly at DHS confirmation hearing, but Trump’s pick clears committee

Listen · 19:05
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After Trump’s push, Senate debates the ‘SAVE America Act,’ but can it pass?

President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

After Trump’s push, Senate debates the ‘SAVE America Act,’ but can it pass?

President Trump says he won’t sign any legislation until Congress passes the “SAVE America Act,” legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote. The Senate narrowly voted Tuesday to allow debate on the bill. We discuss the measure’s prospects and why the president is digging in on this issue.

After Trump’s push, Senate debates the ‘SAVE America Act,’ but can it pass?

Listen · 22:04
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The race for a safe Democratic House seat offers clues about the party’s future

Voters cast their ballots on Election Day at Chicago Park District Loyola field house in Chicago, Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Nam Y. Huh/AP hide caption

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Nam Y. Huh/AP

The race for a safe Democratic House seat offers clues about the party’s future

It’s Primary Day in Illinois, where 15 Democrats, spanning three generations, are vying to succeed longtime Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in the state's 9th Congressional District. We discuss what the race tells us about the future of the Democratic Party.

The race for a safe Democratic House seat offers clues about the party’s future

Listen · 23:28
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Is there a link between political violence and leaders’ rhetoric?

Police tape hangs outside the Temple Israel synagogue Friday, March 13, 2026, in West Bloomfield Township, Mich. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption

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Paul Sancya/AP

Is there a link between political violence and leaders’ rhetoric?

There have been three incidents of political violence in the last two weeks — an attack on a synagogue in Michigan, a shooting at Old Dominion University and an attempted attack on anti-Muslim protesters outside the New York City mayor's residence. We discuss whether there are any common threads among these attacks and what role leaders can play in lowering the rhetorical temperature.

Is there a link between political violence and leaders’ rhetoric?

Listen · 19:17
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Inside our swing voter project (Politics+)

Swing voters will play a pivotal role in this year's midterms, and we wanted to hear directly from them. So NPR has partnered with Engagious (a messaging group led by Rich Thau) and Sago (a market research firm) to run focus groups — once a month in a different swing state. How do these focus groups work? And what have we learned from them so far? In today's bonus episode, Mara Liasson and Ashley Lopez pull back the curtain on the project. To unlock this and other bonus content, and get sponsor-free listening, sign up for NPR Politics Podcast+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Regular episodes haven't changed and remain available every weekday! 

Inside our swing voter project (Politics+)

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