A week of warning signs for the GOP?
Oct 16, 2026
This week saw staffing changes at the White House, the president hitting the road to campaign in Republican strongholds, and backlash to a deal to buy diesel fuel from Russia. We break down what it…
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. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org. You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening for The NPR Politics Podcast.
PodSkip has analyzed 112 episodes of The NPR Politics Podcast, averaging 4.6 ads per episode (8% of runtime).
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They voted for Trump in 2024. Now, they regret it.
Oct 15, 2026
As part of our monthly series of focus groups with swing voters, we head to Georgia, where many voters say they regret giving Trump a second run at the White House in 2024. That regret also threatens…
AI chatbots: the new voter guides?
Oct 14, 2026
Voters have many ways to learn about the candidates and issues they'll vote on each election cycle. Some are now turning to AI chatbots to get that info, asking the tools to tell them about who they…
Why the GOP Is now worried about Ohio
Oct 13, 2026
Ohio was a political bellwether for many years, but has trended solidly Republican since Donald Trump entered politics. But now, Democrats are closing the gap in races for Ohio governor and U.S…
What does the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq mean for the region? | Sources & Methods
Oct 12, 2026
Earlier this month, American forces fully withdrew from Iraq for the second time since the 2003 invasion.In this episode of NPR's national security podcast Sources & Methods, host Mary Louise Kelly…
It's a great time to spy on America
Oct 09, 2026
The FBI has cut counterintelligence efforts, dedicating fewer resources to finding and preventing espionage in the United States. What are the practical, and political, implications?Then, we take…
What is the Protect College Sports Act?
Oct 08, 2026
During many college sports events recently, ads have run encouraging people to call their congressmembers to support the Protect College Sports Act. But what exactly would be protected, and how would…
California considers a wealth tax on billionaires
Oct 07, 2026
California has more billionaires than any other state in the U.S. On the state's ballot this election cycle is a proposition to levy a one-time wealth tax on its resident billionaires. We explain…
Why Democrats and Republicans have hope in the Midwest
Oct 06, 2026
Democrats see opportunity in Iowa to flip a Senate seat, while Republicans see a chance in Minnesota. We break down the state of play across those states and in Nebraska, where an independent Senate…
The path to Senate control runs through this state
Oct 05, 2026
Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins is the Republican defending a Senate seat in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024. Democrats replaced their nominee in July with Troy Jackson, a former state senator, who…
From the pulpit to the political arena
Oct 02, 2026
In some parts of the country, active clergy members are running for office as Democrats, citing the Bible's parable of the Good Samaritan as part of their reasoning for seeking higher office. It's…
What's on the Supreme Court docket this term?
Oct 01, 2026
The Supreme Court has a busy agenda as it begins its new term in October. We take a look at some of the key cases that are set to be argued & decided, and what impacts they may have.This episode…
A trip to one of the last toss-up districts
Sep 30, 2026
Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley has one of this election cycle's last remaining toss-up districts. Latino voters make up a majority of voters in Allentown, and both Democrats & Republicans are trying…
It's time for a voting vibe check
Sep 29, 2026
Voters are already voting in this year's midterms. With Election Day just five weeks away, we take a look at how things are going so far in an election cycle filled with confusion and questions about…
What's next for the Freedom Caucus?
Sep 28, 2026
As one founder of the movement described it to NPR, the Freedom Caucus was "MAGA before MAGA." The Republican lawmakers pushed their party to be more conservative, and found a willing ally in Donald…
The NPR Politics Podcast — live from Seattle!
Sep 25, 2026
The podcast hits the road and heads to Seattle to talk about the big issues and races our reporters are watching. This episode was recorded before a live audience on Thursday, Sept. 24, in…
(Almost) everything you wanted to know about politics (but were afraid to ask)
Sep 24, 2026
Tam, Miles and Mara answer questions about the midterms, the state of politics today, and more in this special episode recorded before a live virtual audience.This episode: senior political…
Trump vs. the media
Sep 23, 2026
Angered by what he perceived as negative coverage, President Trump barred journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House grounds. Those outlets have since sued the government…
Money, money, money
Sep 22, 2026
Advertising in this fall's midterms is increasing, and so too is the money being spent to get those ads on the air. We look at how the parties are raising & spending money for their candidates, and…
Trump takes the world stage
Sep 21, 2026
President Trump heads to the United Nations General Assembly this week as the organization welcomes world leaders to discuss their work. We preview what he will discuss, as well as what is on the…
Campaign messaging, concerts & Can't Let It Go
Sep 18, 2026
Some Republican candidates are using inflammatory and anti-Muslim rhetoric in their campaign ads and public statements. We look at what they're saying, and why they're saying it.Then, a free speech…
How to watch the midterms like we do
Sep 17, 2026
Ever wondered how we pick some of the key races we watch during elections? Here's your chance. In this special edition of The NPR Politics Podcast, which was recorded before a live virtual audience…
How do you solve a problem like AI?
Sep 16, 2026
Evangelists say AI saves time and increases productivity. Doomsayers argue AI will destroy humanity. While the truth may be somewhere in between, lawmakers and businesses are figuring out how to put…
Voters say the American Dream is dead. Why?
Sep 15, 2026
Voters tell us they're frustrated with the economy, that costs are too high, and that neither Democrats nor Republicans seem able to solve their problems. We listen to swing voters in Michigan to…
Missouri's map mayhem
Sep 14, 2026
Like other Republican-led states, Missouri heeded President Trump's call to redraw congressional maps to try and create new, safe seats for Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives. Those…
How 9/11 reshaped U.S. intelligence | Sources & Methods
Sep 12, 2026
September 11th presented a new kind of national security threat, so a new national security architecture was built to confront it. Has it worked? Are we safer? This special episode from Sources &…
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The legacy of 9/11
Sep 11, 2026
We reflect on how U.S. domestic and foreign policy have changed since, and continue to be influenced by, the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, justice…
Sponsor: Charles Schwab, Jerry car insurance ad
The young conservative movement post-Charlie Kirk
Sep 10, 2026
The activist is credited for increasing support of conservative causes among young voters, but nobody has had a similar influence since Kirk was killed last year. Who may pick up the mantle, and will…
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How Trump's immigration policy has evolved
Sep 09, 2026
After campaigning on a platform to curtail illegal immigration to the United States, President Trump has shifted federal immigration policy to severely limit all forms of immigration. We look at…
What is the GOP convention happening this week?
Sep 08, 2026
Republicans are trying to win back skeptical voters by holding a midterm convention in Dallas this week. What will they do there, will the rally work, and how are their plans different than from what…