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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

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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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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Roundup: Trump court reprieve, Hunter's guilty plea, election disinfo

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference held at Trump Tower, Friday, Sept., 6, 2024 in New York. Stefan Jeremiah/AP hide caption

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Stefan Jeremiah/AP

Roundup: Trump court reprieve, Hunter's guilty plea, election disinfo

It was a busy week in U.S. courtrooms. After being convicted of 34 felonies earlier this year in a New York state trial, former President Donald Trump will have to wait until after the presidential election to find out what punishment he may face. Meanwhile, in a federal courthouse in California, Hunter Biden unexpectedly pleaded guilty to tax charges. And, the Department of Justice returned indictments accusing Russian agents of trying to interfere in the 2024 presidential election through, among other ways, paying right-wing online influencers.

Roundup: Trump court reprieve, Hunter's guilty plea, election disinfo

Listen · 25:23
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Senate map heavily favors Republicans, with closely watched races in Ohio and Montana

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, right and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., left, are seen during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing to examine the Financial Stability Oversight Council Annual Report to Congress, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, on Capitol Hill, in Washington. Mariam Zuhaib/AP hide caption

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Mariam Zuhaib/AP

Senate map heavily favors Republicans, with closely watched races in Ohio and Montana

Republicans need to flip two seats to assure their control of the Senate, and with West Virginia's open seat a virtually guaranteed pick-up, all eyes are on Montana and Ohio.

Senate map heavily favors Republicans, with closely watched races in Ohio and Montana

Listen · 13:55
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Why the candidates are investing so much time and energy into Pennsylvania

The plane carrying Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at North Carolina Aviation Museum, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, in Asheboro, N.C. Julia Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Nikhinson/AP

Why the candidates are investing so much time and energy into Pennsylvania

NPR tracked where the candidates are investing the most travel time and money. Unsurprisingly, the most competitive states are receiving the most attention — especially Pennsylvania, which is essential to both candidates' path to the White House.

Why the candidates are investing so much time and energy into Pennsylvania

Listen · 14:12
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A conversation about how demographic changes could impact the 2024 election

Quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies are held a bowl Thursday, March 31, 2022, in Tigard, Ore. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

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Jenny Kane/AP

A conversation about how demographic changes could impact the 2024 election

There are fewer white people without college degrees, more Latino potential voters in key states and a rise in Asian American voters in Nevada. We have a detailed conversation about what that could mean as presidential election voting gets underway this week.

A conversation about how demographic changes could impact the 2024 election

Listen · 15:07
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The economics of "no tax on tips"

A glass tip jar, left, appears next to a point-of-sale payment system screen displaying tip options at a coffee shop in Waitsfield, Vt., on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Carolyn Lessard/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Lessard/AP

The economics of "no tax on tips"

By now, you've probably heard a lot from both presidential nominees about getting rid of taxes on tips.

The economics of "no tax on tips"

Listen · 9:44
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Politics Roundup: Harris sells hopeful vibes; Trump feuds with military burial staff

A bus for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris sits parked during a campaign event, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in Rochester, Pa. Julia Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Nikhinson/AP

Politics Roundup: Harris sells hopeful vibes; Trump feuds with military burial staff

In her first major interview of her presidential campaign, Vice President Harris pitched policy continuity with an attitude shift. She wants to continue the policies of the Biden administration while drawing a more optimistic contrast with the Trump campaign.

Politics Roundup: Harris sells hopeful vibes; Trump feuds with military burial staff

Listen · 21:55
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Election experts hopeful Georgia's system is resilient to Trump-backed conspiracies

A demonstrator hold a sign during a march for voting rights, marking the 58th anniversary of the March on Washington on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Atlanta. Brynn Anderson/AP hide caption

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Brynn Anderson/AP

Election experts hopeful Georgia's system is resilient to Trump-backed conspiracies

Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to pressure Georgia's political leadership to "find" him votes in the 2020 election, but election conspiracies he inspired and continues to encourage continue to play a big role this cycle.

Election experts hopeful Georgia's system is resilient to Trump-backed conspiracies

Listen · 14:15
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Truth in advertising? How Harris and Trump use ads to define the race & each other

A billboard displays an advertisement for Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris on the Las Vegas Strip, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Julia Nikhinson/AP hide caption

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Julia Nikhinson/AP

Truth in advertising? How Harris and Trump use ads to define the race & each other

Ad spending in the 2024 presidential election is nearing $2 billion. With Vice President Kamala Harris' late entry to the race, we look at how her campaign and that of former President Donald Trump are trying to define Harris politically through advertising.

Truth in advertising? How Harris and Trump use ads to define the race & each other

Listen · 12:39
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