The NPR Politics Podcast

It was another busy week in the political world. We discuss the Supreme Court’s approval of Texas' redrawn congressional map, Democrats' performance in a Tennessee special election, and President Trump's dismissal of worries about "affordability" as a "con job." <br/><br/>This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

State and local elections officials across the country are preparing for a variety of ways the Trump administration could interfere with the 2026 midterm elections. We discuss the risks and what tactics the president and his allies have suggested.<br/><br/>This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior political correspondent and editor Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a>.<br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

A look at more than 600 immigrants arrested since the Trump administration began amped up immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago finds almost none have convictions. We discuss what enforcement tactics looked like on the ground and what to expect as enforcement ramps up in Charlotte, North Carolina.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, immigration correspondent Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

President Trump says he won’t “rule out” sending troops to Venezuela, and over the weekend, the world’s largest aircraft carrier arrived in the Caribbean Sea. We discuss why the United States has amassed such a large military presence in the region, and what reasons the Trump administration might have for targeting Venezuela specifically.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The subsidies roughly 22 million Americans rely on to help pay for their health insurance are set to expire at the end of next month unless Congress votes to extend them. We discuss the debate on the Hill, and what would happen to the Affordable Care Act without the subsidies.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, and health policy correspondent Selena Simmons-Duffin.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a>.<br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The House Oversight Committee has released 23,000 pages of documents from the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. We discuss what new information is in the documents and whether the release puts new political pressure on President Trump.<br/><br/>This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political reporter Stephen Fowler, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The government shutdown is over, after Congress passed a deal Wednesday that funds the government through the end of January. The deal does not extend expiring health insurance subsidies, but it does include a provision allowing several Senate Republicans to sue the government for millions. We discuss what’s in the deal and what comes next.<br/><br/>This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a>.<br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The redistricting arms race continues, with several developments that may blunt President Trump's effort to advantage the Republican Party in the 2026 midterm elections. We also discuss a case before the Supreme Court that could alter how mail-in ballots are counted and an effort to reduce elections occurring in odd-numbered years.<br/><br/>This episode: national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and voting correspondent Miles Parks.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+</em> <em>at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

A recent Tucker Carlson interview with far-right influencer Nick Fuentes has stirred controversy at the Heritage Foundation, a prominent right-leaning think tank. We discuss the fallout and the conservative movement’s struggles over how to handle right-wing figures who express antisemitic views.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, national political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of a deal designed to end the war in Gaza. We discuss President Trump’s role in the negotiations that brought about the deal and whether lasting peace could be on the horizon.<br/><br/>This episode: voting and election security correspondent Miles Parks, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. </em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

President Trump has taken steps to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and to Portland, Oregon. We discuss how the administration justifies those actions, as well as how Albuquerque, New Mexico, is using that state’s National Guard to fight crime<br/><br/>This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, Pentagon correspondent Tom Bowman, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. </em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The federal government shutdown is in its seventh day, with negotiations on Capitol Hill over reopening the government at a stalemate. We discuss how the shutdown is affecting federal workers and the services they keep running, as well as warnings by the White House that they will lay off workers as a result of the shutdown.<br/><br/>This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, and political reporter Stephen Fowler.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell & Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye. </em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org/politics</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a><br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>