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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

Podcast Directory

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

Roundup: Supreme Court's abortion, Jan. 6 rulings; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Tonya Morris, from Cincinnati, reacts during the presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at Tillie's Lounge on Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Cincinnati Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

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Carolyn Kaster/AP

Roundup: Supreme Court's abortion, Jan. 6 rulings; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The Supreme Court largely punted on abortion access and curtailed a law the Department of Justice has been using to prosecute accused Jan. 6 insurrectionists. And NPR spoke with independent candidate for president Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about why he is running a race he almost certainly cannot win.

Roundup: Supreme Court's abortion, Jan. 6 rulings; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Listen · 24:25
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Biden struggled, Trump repeatedly lied, and CNN's moderators didn't fact-check.

The set of the presidential debate hosted by CNN, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Atlanta. John Bazemore/AP hide caption

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John Bazemore/AP

Biden struggled, Trump repeatedly lied, and CNN's moderators didn't fact-check.

President Biden fumbled in the CNN Presidential Debate, offering often rambling answers in a hoarse and quiet voice. Donald Trump, who also rambled, painted a characteristically dark vision of the country and repeatedly lied about his and Biden's records — which went largely unchallenged by CNN's moderators.

Biden struggled, Trump repeatedly lied, and CNN's moderators didn't fact-check.

Listen · 12:25
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Ahead of Thursday's presidential debate in Georgia, voters head to the pools.

Georgia cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi in the Southeastern Conference Tournament Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Mark Humphrey/AP hide caption

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Mark Humphrey/AP

Ahead of Thursday's presidential debate in Georgia, voters head to the pools.

Many folks have tuned out the news, unenthused about the rematch between historical unpopular presidential candidates. Ahead of Thursday's debate in Georgia, when some folks could be engaging with the campaign for the first time, WABE's Sam Gringlas sought out checked-out voters at a swimming pool outside of Atlanta.

Ahead of Thursday's presidential debate in Georgia, voters head to the pools.

Listen · 11:21
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Julian Assange, who published war secrets and Dems' private emails, accepts plea deal

In this May 19, 2017 file photo, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange closes a window after greeting supporters from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Frank Augstein/AP hide caption

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Frank Augstein/AP

Julian Assange, who published war secrets and Dems' private emails, accepts plea deal

Julian Assange, who has long been imprisoned in the United Kingdom, has agreed to plead guilty to a U.S. felony and will return to his native Australia. His WikiLeaks organization's 2010 publication of military secrets helped to reshape public understanding of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Julian Assange, who published war secrets and Dems' private emails, accepts plea deal

Listen · 10:19
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Arizona's largest voting bloc? Folks who don't identify with either party.

The Arizona state seal on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the Capitol in Phoenix. Matt York/AP hide caption

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Matt York/AP

Arizona's largest voting bloc? Folks who don't identify with either party.

Independent voters aren't necessarily swing voters. Most usually vote with one party. But in Arizona, they now represent the single largest group of voters in a state that is essential for both the presidency and control of the Senate.

Arizona's largest voting bloc? Folks who don't identify with either party.

Listen · 13:23
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Weekly roundup: Next week's debate; masculinity in politics

FILE: The debate stage is set ahead of the start of the second and final presidential debate Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption

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Patrick Semansky/AP

Weekly roundup: Next week's debate; masculinity in politics

Like two heavyweights looking for a rematch, President Biden and former President Trump have their first of two scheduled debates next week. But, this debate will look and feel different than others before — how are the candidates preparing? Plus, a look at the intersection between masculinity and politics, and Can't Let It Go.

Weekly roundup: Next week's debate; masculinity in politics

Listen · 24:29
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Abortion on the campaign trail

President Joe Biden speaks about reproductive freedom on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP hide caption

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Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

Abortion on the campaign trail

Nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion has been playing a large role in campaign messaging. We explore how both Democratic and Republican candidates are using the issue to shape their pitches to voters.

Abortion on the campaign trail

Listen · 13:23
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Rep. Andy Kim on his Senate bid & political career

Rep. Andy Kim talks to reporters at the Bergen County Democratic convention in Paramus, N.J., Monday, March 4, 2024. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

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Seth Wenig/AP

Rep. Andy Kim on his Senate bid & political career

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., didn't expect to run for the Senate. But when Sen. Bob Menendez was indicted on corruption allegations, he decided to act. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR's Susan Davis, Kim talks about his decision, his political career, and his hopes for the future of American politics.

Rep. Andy Kim on his Senate bid & political career

Listen · 17:25
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Biden launches new immigration action

Border Patrol agents talk with migrants seeking asylum as they prepare them for transportation to be processed, Wednesday, June 5, 2024, near Dulzura, Calif. Gregory Bull/AP hide caption

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Gregory Bull/AP

Biden launches new immigration action

In an executive action released today, President Biden announced plans to offer protection against deportation to an estimated half a million undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, and noncitizen minors & stepchildren of American citizens. It would also allow eligible immigrants to apply for legal permanent status.

Biden launches new immigration action

Listen · 11:48
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Does Trump have the rizz?

People arrive before Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at the "People's Convention" of Turning Point Action Saturday, June 15, 2024 in Detroit. Carlos Osorio/Detroit hide caption

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Carlos Osorio/Detroit

Does Trump have the rizz?

Young voters historically vote for Democrats. But, former President Trump's style and rhetoric are drawing attention among some casting their first ballots. We went to a conservative convention in Detroit to learn more.

Does Trump have the rizz?

Listen · 13:16
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