Political News

  1. Primary voters reject the establishment and choose populism

    4d ago

    Primary voters reject the establishment and choose populism

    More than half the states have had their primary contests for this year’s midterm elections. We discuss some key themes that have emerged. Voters are embracing economic populism and rejecting establishment politicians — except when it comes to President Trump.  This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, political reporter Elena Moore, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. 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 plus.npr.org/politics. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

    17 min
  2. The world according to Marco Rubio

    4d ago

    The world according to Marco Rubio

    As a Florida senator, Marco Rubio seemed to hold an opposing world view to Donald Trump; on Russia-Ukraine, on China, on USAID, and more. He notably called Trump a “con man”, and Trump in turn dubbed him, “little Marco”. And yet now, as US Secretary of State, Rubio has made himself indispensable to the president on foreign affairs, bringing his own background to play in policy on Venezuela and Cuba, and shaping the US’ approach to further interventions abroad. Trump has even indicated that he wants Rubio to run on a joint ticket with JD Vance for the next US presidency. How has Rubio tailored himself to Trump’s world view? And what difference would he bring as a potential presidential candidate? Tom Bateman, the BBC’s State Department correspondent, regularly travels with Rubio, and he joins Asma on today’s show. Producers: Hannah Moore and Aron Keller Executive producer: Bridget Harney Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: Marco Rubio attends a Senate Appropriations subcommittee to testify about the proposed 2027 budget for the Department of State, June 3, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein.

    28 min
  3. What Netanyahu and Israel want out of the war with Iran

    6d ago

    What Netanyahu and Israel want out of the war with Iran

    The war with Iran is not popular in the U.S., and President Trump has been trying to negotiate a deal to resolve it. In comparison, the Israeli public is pressing for military defeat of Iran and its allies, such as the militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a parliamentary election this fall which could unseat him from power. So the war that Trump and Netanyahu launched together now sees the two leaders at odds on its potential end. Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, explains the political calculus for Netanyahu right now. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.  Email us at considerthis@npr.org. This episode was produced by Erika Ryan and Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Hannah Gluvna. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon. Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

    13 min
  4. Can Blanche Do What Bondi Couldn't?

    6d ago

    Can Blanche Do What Bondi Couldn't?

    President Donald Trump officially nominated Todd Blanche to serve as Attorney General. After firing Pam Bondi back in April, Trump went with his former defense attorney to lead more than 10,000 attorneys. And it seems pretty clear why: Trump wants someone to do exactly what he wants. Like prosecute his political enemies or set up a 1.776 billion dollar MAGA "anti-weaponization" fund. But by doing Trump's bidding, Blanche has made many of his own enemies. So what does that mean for Trump's legal agenda? To find out, we spoke with Ken White. He's a former federal prosecutor, partner at Brown White & Osborn LLP, and co-host of the podcast Serious Trouble. And in headlines, Trump blames Iran for shooting down a U.S. Army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, a new study on alcohol confirms our worst fears, and a federal judge strikes down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. Show Notes: Check out Serious Trouble – www.serioustrouble.show/podcast Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

    21 min
  5. Trump nominates former personal attorney Todd Blanche for Attorney General

    6d ago

    Trump nominates former personal attorney Todd Blanche for Attorney General

    President Trump officially nominated Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General, setting up a potential confirmation fight in Congress. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.  Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

    3 min
  6. ‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control?

    6d ago

    ‘Grandpa in a bunker’: is Putin losing control?

    Russian affairs reporter Pjotr Sauer on Vladimir Putin’s increasing isolation – and seeming paranoia – as ordinary Russians become more restive over the toll of the war in Ukraine and a struggling economy at home. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

    27 min
  7. America's birthday blues

    6d ago

    America's birthday blues

    America's 250th birthday party has gotten political. So did its last big one. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. The Capitol and Lincoln Memorial near a video display showing "250" projected on the Washington Monument during an America250 kickoff celebration. Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 min
  8. The relationship between China and North Korea

    6d ago

    The relationship between China and North Korea

    North Korea hosted a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the first in nearly seven years. Though the two neighboring countries have had an alliance for decades, the meeting comes as North Korea has been prioritizing its relationship with Russia. We hear from our correspondents in Shanghai and Seoul about what this meeting means. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

    6 min
  9. California counts votes and Trump makes baseless voter fraud claims

    Jun 8

    California counts votes and Trump makes baseless voter fraud claims

    With his claims about California voter fraud, President Trump is returning to a familiar playbook. Is this a preview of what the midterms could look like? We are still waiting for some results from last Tuesday's primary in California. That election will determine who is on the ballot this fall in the races for governor, Los Angeles mayor, and key congressional districts. But the state is one of the slowest to count votes in the country, and in the meantime, President Trump is pushing familiar – and false – claims of election fraud.  For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org. This episode was produced by Alejandra Marquez Janse, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Courtney Dorning, Christopher Intagliata and Megan Pratz. Our interim executive producer is Courtney Dorning. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

    7 min
  10. The Trump-endorsed Brit running for California governor

    6d ago

    The Trump-endorsed Brit running for California governor

    A British immigrant backed by President Trump is running to be the next governor of California. Once a senior advisor to former prime minister David Cameron, Steve Hilton has since been on a journey – swapping Downing Street for Silicon Valley. Having made his home in the US, Hilton is now running to become California’s Republican governor on a platform of cutting taxes and regulation. We speak to Nicholas Watt, political editor of BBC Newsnight, who has known Hilton since his days advising Cameron. Producers: Viv Jones and Aron Keller Mix: Travis Evans Video producer: Matt Pintus Executive producer: James Shield Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton. Credit: Reuters /Mike Blake Audio for this episode was updated on 9th June 2026 to clarify Steve Hilton's views on Brexit.

    27 min
  11. Trump’s B-Team

    6d ago

    Trump’s B-Team

    Why would Trump choose Bill Pulte to be the new acting Director of National Intelligence? Pulte may not have a background in national security, but since he was already Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, you have to admit it was convenient to hire from the batch of people who were already around. Guest: Andrew Egger, White House correspondent for the Bulwark.  Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Madeline Ducharme, Patrick Fort, Rob Gunther and Paige Osburn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  12. Is the GOP Starting to Defy Trump?

    Jun 4

    Is the GOP Starting to Defy Trump?

    For most of his second term, Donald Trump has successfully conveyed the message that defiance is not an option. Republicans who ignored that message generally wound up out of office, so they largely toed the line. Lately, though, that seems to be changing.  Republicans recently pushed back against the president’s proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” and the administration ultimately scrapped it. Trump asked for nearly $1 billion in security funding for his ballroom, and Senate Republicans forced him to abandon that plan as well. Perhaps most stunning, some House Republicans this week broke ranks to rebuke Trump’s war in Iran, directing him to withdraw U.S. forces or win approval from Congress. The seeds of mutiny are detectable. But also the president still has the strength and support to suppress them. So who is willing to take the risk, and who isn’t?  On this week’s “Radio Atlantic”: Indiana State Senator Jim Buck, a pro-Trump Republican who did not vote for his state’s redistricting plan and faced an onslaught of what he calls “lies” and threats as a result; also the Atlantic staff writer Russell Berman on the dueling forces of Trump’s revenge campaign and growing party defiance. - - - Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    28 min
  13. Do the Dems Need More Graham Platners?

    Jun 4

    Do the Dems Need More Graham Platners?

    Graham Platner has a lot of things in his favor as he runs for a US Senate seat in Maine: it’s an off-election year, the president’s approval rating is slumping and dragging down the whole GOP. Should be a breeze as soon as Platner gets through this latest scandal. Guests: Danielle Kurtzleben, White House Correspondent for NPR and “Masculinity politics expert.” Ken Klippenstein, independent journalist covering national security and U.S. politics. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Evan Campbell, Madeline Ducharme, Patrick Fort, Rob Gunther and Paige Osburn. This conversation took place on June 3 and does not reflect new reporting in the New York Times from June 4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  14. The two Supreme Court cases that could still shape the midterms

    Jun 2

    The two Supreme Court cases that could still shape the midterms

    California voters head to the polls today in a statewide primary election. Kevin Rector of the Los Angeles Times joins to discuss the biggest races. It was a consequential day for the country’s leading AI companies. Anthropic filed for an initial public offering, the Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, NPR reports that the state of Florida sued OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, over safety concerns. The Supreme Court will soon rule in two significant cases that could have major implications for November’s midterm elections. Jan Wolfe of Reuters explains what’s at stake in each of the decisions. Plus, why the White House could soon drop the DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund, Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a partial ceasefire, and why the white picket fence is disappearing from American yards. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

    14 min
  15. You voted. Does it matter?

    May 30

    You voted. Does it matter?

    Democrats talk a lot about protecting democracy, but for most Americans, the system was written to exclude them a long time ago. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo by Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    28 min
  16. Is Cuba Next?

    May 28

    Is Cuba Next?

    Not long after U.S. commandos swiftly extracted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him to the United States, Donald Trump set his sights on the next target: Cuba. Some administration officials seem interested in Cuba’s nickel and cobalt deposits. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shares the dream of many Cuban exiles for regime change on the island. Although, from the Cuban perspective, the prospect of the U.S. bringing regime change is fraught, coming after centuries of conflict and colonial extraction.  On this week’s Radio Atlantic: Host Hanna Rosin speaks with the Atlantic staff writer Vivian Salama and the historian Ada Ferrer, author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Cuba: An American History, as well as the new book Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter. - - -Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  17. A Russian Phrasebook for Surviving Authoritarianism

    May 27

    A Russian Phrasebook for Surviving Authoritarianism

    Russian language has a rich vocabulary for describing life under tyranny. Like the plain-clothed ICE officers snatching people off the streets? In Russian, they would be called "siloviki." Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's requirement that she personally approve of contracts over $100,000? That's a phenomenon that Russians would call "manual control." Government workers being required to perform a military parade for the president's birthday? They would be called "budget people" in Russian. Brooke speaks with Maria Kuznetsova and Dan Storyev, the authors of the upcoming book How to Survive Authoritarianism: A Russian Phrasebook for Everyday Life in America, about how Russian words and phrases can help Americans understand what's happening in their country today. The book comes out in September.  On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min
  18. The Real J6 Victims Are Standing Up

    May 27

    The Real J6 Victims Are Standing Up

    You know, President Donald Trump's 1.776 billion-dollar MAGA slush fund? The fund is intended for victims of "DOJ weaponization," like the January 6 insurrectionists Trump pardoned. Shockingly, very few people support it. And now former Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and a colleague, actual victims of the January 6 insurrection, are suing the Trump administration to put a stop to this fund. Jane speaks with Dunn about the slush fund, his lawsuit, and why it's so important to him to stand up for what actually happened that day. And in headlines: Trump has yet another physical, Republicans' redistricting war takes a hit, and the Trump administration thinks it may be a good idea to have federal employees sign NDAs. Just in case... Show Notes: Call Congress – 202-224-3121 Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/y4y2e9jy What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcast Follow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/ For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

    19 min
  19. Why Conservatives Are Trying to Kill the Voting Rights Act

    May 27

    Why Conservatives Are Trying to Kill the Voting Rights Act

    More To The Story: The Voting Rights Act is widely considered one of the most effective laws in prohibiting racial discrimination in voting. One of its key provisions has long allowed states to take race into account when drawing voting maps to ensure that nonwhite voters have electoral power. But earlier this year, the Supreme Court narrowed that provision. In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan described the court’s decision as the “now-completed demolition of the Voting Rights Act.” “The notion that everyone deserves equal access to the ballot, that everyone deserves equal access to elections, that one person ought to mean one vote, and that there ought to be some measure of political equality has never really sat well with the political right in this country,” says Jamelle Bouie, a political columnist for the New York Times. On this week’s More To The Story, Bouie and host Al Letson talk about how the Voting Rights Act has been defanged by the Supreme Court, why the Democratic Party is made up of “a bunch of weenies,” and why he believes the country is experiencing a constitutional emergency. This is an update of an episode that originally aired in August 2025. Producer: Josh Sanburn | Editor: Kara McGuirk-Allison | Theme music: Fernando Arruda and Jim Briggs | Copy editor: Nikki Frick | Digital producer: Artis Curiskis | Deputy executive producer: Taki Telonidis | Executive producer: Brett Myers | Executive editor: James West | Host: Al LetsonListen: How Trump Exploits Working-Class Pain (More To The Story) Read: Republican Gerrymandering Schemes Target Minority Voters and Their Representatives (Mother Jones) Listen: Not All Votes Are Created Equal (Reveal) Read: The Nation’s Landmark Voting Rights Law Just Turned 60. It May Not Survive Trump. (Mother Jones) Watch: Blame John Roberts for Destroying the Voting Rights Act (Mother Jones) Donate today at Revealnews.org/more Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at Revealnews.org/weekly Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

    27 min