The NPR Politics Podcast

The economy is growing very slowly, and wages aren't keeping up with inflation, which is keeping gas and grocery prices high. We discuss how politicians are navigating the sluggish economy on the campaign trail and how President Trump is making Republicans' case harder. <br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at </em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/"target="_blank" ><em>plus.npr.org</em></a><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Some Senate Republicans are refusing to approve President Trump's attorney general pick unless the Trump administration commits in writing to certain guarantees related to the president's settlement with the IRS. We discuss that fight, plus why the Patriot missile defense system matters so much to Ukraine. <br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, justice correspondent Ryan Lucas, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and edited by Rachel Baye.</em><br/><br/><em>Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.</em><br/><br/><em>Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org</a>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

<em>This podcast was taped at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, July 30, 2026.</em><br/><br/>State Assemblywoman Francesca Hong leads in the polls over Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Hong's progressive views and membership in the Democratic Socialists of America has won her fans on the Democratic Party's left, but others in the party fear she couldn't win a general election. We look at the race, its candidates and the issues at play.<br/><br/>This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, and Wisconsin Public Radio state house reporter Anya van Wagtendonk.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.</em><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/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

This episode: HOST, REPORTER, and REPORTER.<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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The Democratic Party's progressive and moderate wings are squaring off in Michigan as voters decide who the party's nominee for an open Senate seat will be. We look at the race and why it is reflective of broader debates in the party about policy, politics and more.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondents Miles Parks & Ashley Lopez, and congressional reporter Sam Gringlas.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.</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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Maine Democrats selected Troy Jackson, a former gubernatorial candidate and president of the Maine Senate, to replace Graham Platner on November's ballot. While Jackson shares many of Platner's political views, can he bring Platner's supporters along and unseat longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins?<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and Maine Public state house correspondent Kevin Miller.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs.</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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

House Republicans had a busy week before heading out for an August recess. We discuss what measures they passed, how those items fit into President Trump's agenda and how that agenda is making life difficult for some Republicans on the midterm campaign trail.<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced and edited by Bria Suggs.</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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Campaigns across the country are leaning into immigration issues, spurred in part by recent fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in Maine and Texas. We discuss how politicians on both sides of the aisle are using the issue and why Republicans in particular see immigration enforcement as a winning message.<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy correspondent Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

President Trump attended the dignified transfer on Wednesday of four U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran war. We discuss how the latest casualties affect the politics of the war, and how Congress took Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s request for billions more in funding for the war. <br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Quil Lawrence, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it's not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Republican field in 2028. If you missed our Democratic candidate draft, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/07/14/nx-s1-5893349/2028-fantasy-draft-democrats"target="_blank" >you can catch that here</a>.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith.<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/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Tuesday is Primary Day in Arizona. We discuss the Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs in November and the competitive primaries for an open Phoenix-area House seat.<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and KJZZ correspondent Wayne Schutsky.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

In the summer of 2020, sixteen-year-old Antonio Mays Jr. traveled a thousand miles to join the racial justice movement of his generation in the wake of George Floyd's killing. Antonio arrived in Seattle during the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, known as CHOP. Less than a week later, he was shot and killed there. The case remains unsolved.<br/><br/>In this eight-part series, hosts Sydney Brownstone of The Seattle Times and Will James of KUOW team up with NPR's Embedded to investigate Antonio's death. They track down key eyewitnesses and surface crucial evidence that's never been made public.<br/><br/>Find "We Keep Us Safe" in the Embedded podcast feed.<br/><br/><em>Listen to Embedded wherever you get your podcasts, including the <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510311/embedded"target="_blank" >NPR App</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embedded/id1091709555"target="_blank" >Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://pca.st/embd"target="_blank" >Pocket Casts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4uGM0HtHF1DPR4LHNlfvwm"target="_blank" >Spotify</a>, and via <a href="https://feeds.npr.org/510311/podcast.xml"target="_blank" >RSS</a>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

In a national address Thursday night, President Trump said he has new evidence of fraud in the American election system. We discuss whether facts back up Trump's claims and what to make of Trump devoting a primetime address to this topic now. <br/><br/>This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior national political correspondent Tamara Keith.<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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

NPR reporters observed focus groups of 12 Pennsylvania voters who backed former President Biden in 2020 and President Trump in 2024. We discuss their cynicism about politicians and the Iran war, and what they think about democratic socialism.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

President Trump has been pushing a new warning lately: communism is coming. He’s referring to candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America who have won Democratic primaries in deep blue House districts in Colorado and New York and are on the ballot in a few other states. We discuss similarities between these left-leaning candidates and Trump, and whether Trump’s message is likely to be persuasive.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political reporter Elena Moore, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.<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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The next presidential election is more than two years away, but it’s not too early to start discussing likely contenders. We do an NFL-style draft of the candidates who may lead the Democratic field in 2028.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political correspondent Tamara Keith.<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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Longtime South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly over the weekend at age 71. We discuss how Graham helped President Trump reshape the federal judiciary and achieve priorities such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while also serving as one of the last remaining Republican defense hawks.<br/><br/>This episode: voting correspondent Miles Parks, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel, and White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez.<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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

It was another busy week in politics. We discuss Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell’s extended absence from the Senate and the latest news in the Michigan Senate primary. Plus, when does a sex scandal cross a line and make a politician too controversial for voters?<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Sam Gringlas, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Democrat Graham Platner has announced that he is dropping out of the race to represent Maine in the U.S. Senate, following new allegations — which Platner denies — that he raped a woman he once dated. We discuss how the Democratic Party ended up with such a controversial nominee and what comes next in the race for this Senate seat that the party desperately hopes to flip.<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, political reporter Elena Moore, and Maine Public chief politics and government correspondent Steve Mistler.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

While attending a NATO summit in Turkey, President Trump said the ceasefire in Iran is over. We discuss what comes next for the conflict and why the United States hasn’t won a war in at least 25 years.<br/><br/>This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.<br/><br/><em>This podcast was produced by 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><em><a href="http://plus.npr.org/politics"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/politics</a></em><em>.</em><br/><br/>See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>