Which Democrats could be on the presidential ballot in 2028?

Summary of Which Democrats could be on the presidential ballot in 2028?

by NPR

31m•May 29, 2026
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Overview of NPR Politics Podcast

This episode covers two main political storylines: a new DOJ investigation tied to E. Jean Carroll and a broader discussion of President Trump’s “retribution” campaign against perceived enemies; and what the 2028 Democratic presidential field could look like after the turmoil of 2024, including Jill Biden’s reflections on Joe Biden’s disastrous debate night and the growing pressure for Democrats to nominate a younger, more transparent candidate.

DOJ Investigation and the E. Jean Carroll Case

What the investigation is about

  • NPR reports that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago is investigating issues connected to E. Jean Carroll’s legal funding in her lawsuits against Donald Trump.
  • The probe centers on a deposition in which Carroll said no outside groups were paying her legal bills.
  • It later emerged that a nonprofit backed by Democratic donor Reid Hoffman helped cover some of those costs.

Possible focus of the inquiry

  • Investigators are reportedly looking at:
    • possible money laundering,
    • obstruction,
    • and potentially perjury related to Carroll’s deposition testimony.
  • There is confusion over whether Carroll herself is officially under investigation:
    • the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office denied reports that she was,
    • but sources said prosecutors may be examining whether she lied under oath.

Broader context: Trump and DOJ “retribution”

  • The hosts frame this as part of a wider pattern of Trump administration efforts to use the Justice Department against political opponents.
  • Examples mentioned include:
    • James Comey,
    • Letitia James,
    • Jerome Powell,
    • John Brennan,
    • the Southern Poverty Law Center,
    • and the Democratic lawmakers investigated over a video about unlawful orders.
  • The segment also notes that many of these efforts have failed in court or been rejected by grand juries, raising concerns about DOJ credibility and institutional trust.

Todd Blanche’s role

  • Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is recused from the Carroll matter because of his prior role in related litigation.
  • The hosts say Blanche appears to be aggressively advancing Trump-aligned priorities, including the now-blocked “anti-weaponization” settlement fund.

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, and the 2028 Democratic Field

Jill Biden on the 2024 debate

  • Jill Biden is promoting a memoir and discussing Joe Biden’s disastrous June 2024 debate against Trump.
  • She said she was frightened by what she saw and thought he might be having a stroke.
  • The hosts note that this framing tries to isolate the debate collapse as a one-off event, but many Americans had long been concerned about Biden’s age and fitness.

Why 2028 is already taking shape

  • Democrats are said to be deeply anxious about repeating the mistakes of 2024.
  • There is a strong desire for:
    • a younger nominee,
    • more transparency,
    • and an open, credible process.
  • The discussion emphasizes that 2028 is likely to feature many candidates decades younger than the current generation of party leaders.

Names already in the mix

The hosts mention several Democrats who are either actively signaling interest or being widely discussed:

  • Gavin Newsom
  • Pete Buttigieg
  • J.B. Pritzker
  • Chris Murphy
  • Josh Shapiro
  • Wes Moore
  • Kamala Harris
  • Rahm Emanuel
  • Ro Khanna
  • Ruben Gallego

Notable developments

  • Gretchen Whitmer explicitly said she will not run in 2028.
  • The hosts note that candidates are being more direct than usual about whether they are in or out.
  • They also raise the question of whether Democrats may hesitate to nominate another woman after 2016 and 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • The Carroll investigation is being treated as another example of Trump-era political retaliation through the Justice Department.
  • Despite the administration’s aggressive posture, many of these cases have been tossed out or blocked.
  • Democrats appear to be entering 2028 with a strong emphasis on youth, transparency, and electability.
  • Jill Biden’s memoir is reopening painful questions about Joe Biden’s decline and the party’s handling of 2024.

Can’t Let It Go

Ashley’s pick: Pope Leo’s AI encyclical

  • She fixates on the Pope’s unusually long and culturally literate warning about AI.
  • She highlights references to:
    • Gandalf,
    • Schindler’s List,
    • Beethoven,
    • and Picasso.
  • Her takeaway: the document reads like a defense of human-made art and a sign that the Pope is unusually tuned in to modern culture.

Tam’s pick: the “Freedom 250” concert mess

  • A National Mall concert series tied to America’s 250th anniversary devolved into a political embarrassment after artists began pulling out.
  • The lineup had a very dated, 1990s-feeling vibe and drew ridicule.
  • The hosts joke that it became a “dumpster fire.”

Deepa’s pick: a bold student speech at the News Emmys

  • High school senior Santiago Campos used an award acceptance speech to criticize CBS News and broader corporate influence on journalism.
  • The hosts praise his courage and note it came during a difficult week for American journalism.

Bottom Line

The episode blends hard political reporting with a look ahead to 2028, suggesting that Democrats are moving toward a more openly competitive, youth-oriented presidential primary while Trump continues to use the levers of government in ways that raise serious concerns about retaliation and institutional integrity.