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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

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

President Donald Trump takes the oath of office Jan. 27, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Jim Bourg/AP hide caption

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Jim Bourg/AP

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith has been looking at what Donald Trump did in early 2017 when he first took office, and what might be different this time around.

How Trump's early days in 2017 might be different from the upcoming term

Listen · 5:33
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In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a news conference Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. George Walker IV/AP hide caption

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George Walker IV/AP

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Federal judges have enormous power over their courtrooms and their chambers, which can leave employees vulnerable to abuse, with few ways to report their concerns anonymously. Forty-two current and former federal judicial employees spoke to NPR about their experience of mistreatment working for judges appointed by presidents from both major political parties.

In the federal court system, law clerks find little recourse for bullying and abuse

Listen · 27:39
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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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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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Another turn in Trump's economic policy

President Trump silences his mobile phone, which rang two times as he was speaking to reporters, after signing executive orders regarding nuclear energy in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 23, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Another turn in Trump's economic policy

President Trump announced plans to levy 50 percent tariffs on goods imported from the European Union, and on iPhones not made in the U.S., causing stock markets to tumble. We look at the impact of the president's shifting trade policies on the market.

Another turn in Trump's economic policy

Listen · 21:06
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Why some Democratic governors want to roll back their own health care policies

Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom presents his revised state budget during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Rich Pedroncelli/AP hide caption

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Rich Pedroncelli/AP

Why some Democratic governors want to roll back their own health care policies

Democratic governors in California and Minnesota are proposing to roll back health insurance coverage for immigrants without legal status that they signed into law. We look at what's going on.

Why some Democratic governors want to roll back their own health care policies

Listen · 12:58
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Accusations of white genocide derail US-South Africa meeting

President Donald Trump meets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

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Evan Vucci/AP

Accusations of white genocide derail US-South Africa meeting

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the White House Wednesday ostensibly to talk about trade policies and the upcoming G20 Summit. But the Oval Office meeting with President Trump quickly devolved into accusations of a genocide against white farmers in South Africa.

Accusations of white genocide derail US-South Africa meeting

Listen · 14:32
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Can Trump keep House Republicans unified around his budget bill?

President Donald Trump, right, is joined by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., as he arrives for a meeting with the House Republican Conference at the Capitol, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington. Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP hide caption

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Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP

Can Trump keep House Republicans unified around his budget bill?

House Republicans are working to advance a massive bill that essentially wraps up all of President Trump's legislative goals. The conference is largely, but not entirely, unified, and just a few Republican defectors could derail the whole thing. So President Trump stopped by Capitol Hill to make his pitch to the skeptics.

Can Trump keep House Republicans unified around his budget bill?

Listen · 14:02
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Why GOP-led states are passing new restrictions for ballot initiatives

Voters mark their ballots while voting at Centennial Hall at the Milwaukee Central Library on Election Day Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Milwaukee. Kayla Wolf/AP hide caption

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Kayla Wolf/AP

Why GOP-led states are passing new restrictions for ballot initiatives

Ballot initiatives are one way for voters to get issues that matter to them enshrined in law, especially if lawmakers aren't interested in taking them on in local legislatures. But, efforts in several Republican-led states are trying to make it harder for people to get initiatives on ballots in the first place.

Why GOP-led states are passing new restrictions for ballot initiatives

Listen · 11:20
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Roundup: Trump visits the Middle East

President Donald Trump shakes hands with with Yousif Al Obaidli, director of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, during a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Roundup: Trump visits the Middle East

President Trump took his first major trip abroad this week, visiting the Middle East and signing business deals. We talk about what happened.

Roundup: Trump visits the Middle East

Listen · 26:56
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