Accessibility links
Politics NPR's expanded coverage of U.S. and world politics, the latest news from Congress and the White House and elections.

PoliticsPolitics

President Trump speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Venezuela calls Trump's call to close airspace a 'colonialist threat'

President Trump said that the airspace "above and surrounding Venezuela" was "closed in its entirety". In response, the Venezuelan government said his comments violate international law, and are a "colonialist threat" to its sovereignty.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, left, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Jared Kushner attend a meeting with Ukrainian officials Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, left, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Jared Kushner attend a meeting with Ukrainian officials Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Terry Renna/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Terry Renna/AP

Ukraine invasion — explained

Rubio says US-Ukraine talks on Russia war were productive but much work remains in search of a deal

U.S. and Ukrainian officials completed roughly four hours of talks aimed at finding an endgame to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, second from right, is taken in handcuffs to a waiting aircraft as he is extradited to the United States, at an Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2022.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, second from right, is taken in handcuffs to a waiting aircraft as he is extradited to the United States, at an Air Force base in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 21, 2022. Elmer Martinez/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Elmer Martinez/AP

Trump plans to pardon former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez was convicted for drug trafficking and weapons charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

President Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Nov. 16 at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla.

President Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Nov. 16 at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

Trump administration pausing all asylum decisions after National Guard shooting

After the alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a 29-year-old Afghan national — Trump said he would permanently shut down immigration from impoverished countries.

President Donald Trump holds up a photograph as he speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.

President Donald Trump holds up a photograph as he speaks to reporters after speaking to troops via video from his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Brandon/AP

Trump vows to 'permanently pause' migration from poor nations in social media screed

President Donald Trump vowed on Thanksgiving to "permanently pause migration" from poorer nations in a blistering late-night, anti-immigrant screed posted to social media.

A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store on February 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store earlier this year in Austin, Texas. Many shoppers are cutting back on purchases due to higher costs. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

National

For many, the holidays this year means having to make do with less

With job losses, food benefit reductions and higher prices, many in the U.S. are having to scrimp this holiday season.

'It’s really tough': Some Americans are cutting back this holiday season

Listen · 3:59
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5619587/nx-s1-9550740" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Steve Witkoff, flanked by President Trump, speaks at the White House on May 28.

Steve Witkoff, flanked by President Trump, speaks at the White House on May 28. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump defends key negotiator after leaked phone call appears to show him coaching Russia

A transcript of the call appears to show Steve Witkoff coaching his Russian counterpart on how they could get a better deal to end the war in Ukraine

Leaked recording shines new spotlight on Trump associate Steve Witkoff

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5621838/nx-s1-9550048" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
President Trump speaks to the media aboard Air Force One on Tuesday.

President Trump speaks to the media aboard Air Force One on Tuesday. Pete Marovich/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Law

The Georgia election interference case against Trump and others has been dropped

The historic Georgia election interference case against President Trump and allies for their efforts to overturn the 2020 election is no more.

The Georgia election interference case against Trump and others has been dropped

Listen · 3:51
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5611431/nx-s1-9550071" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand next to national Thanksgiving turkey Gobble during a pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, on Tuesday, in Washington.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, stand next to national Thanksgiving turkey Gobble during a pardoning ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House, on Tuesday, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

President Trump brought grievances to the Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony on Tuesday. He joked about sending the turkeys to a prison in El Salvador, and claimed that last year's turkey pardons were invalid.

Sen. Kelly says Trump doesn't “understand the Constitution”

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly during a visit to NPR headquarters on Nov. 18, 2025. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

Consider This from NPR

Sen. Kelly says Trump doesn't “understand the Constitution”

Facing the threat of a potential military court martial and possible questions from the FBI, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona spoke to NPR's Scott Detrow. This comes after Kelly, a Navy veteran and former astronaut, appeared with five other Democratic lawmakers in a video letting active duty troops know they do not have to follow illegal orders.

Sen. Kelly says Trump doesn't “understand the Constitution”

Listen · 15:22
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5620656/nx-s1-mx-5823825" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly during a visit to NPR headquarters on Nov. 18, 2025.

Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly during a visit to NPR headquarters on Nov. 18, 2025. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR

Sen. Mark Kelly: Trump and Hegseth don't 'understand the Constitution'

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and other congressional Democrats released a video last week letting service members know they can refuse illegal orders. Kelly is now being investigated for misconduct.

Sen. Mark Kelly responds to Pentagon investigation

Listen · 6:32
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5620772/nx-s1-9548487" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Lindsey Halligan pictured outside of the White House in August.

Lindsey Halligan pictured outside of the White House in August, a month before she was appointed acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

The case against Comey failed because of Trump's prosecutor. Who is she?

A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department's cases against James Comey and Letitia James, saying the prosecutor who led them was unlawfully appointed. Here's what to know about her.

Voters arrive at the Buck Creek School to vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in rural Perry, Kan.

Voters arrive at the Buck Creek School to vote on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in rural Perry, Kan. Charlie Riedel/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Charlie Riedel/AP

Democrats plan a new investment in winning rural voters, who've fled the party

Democrats are announcing a new investment to win over voters in rural areas — where the party has suffered deep losses in recent elections — by leaning on an economic message.

Democrats launching program focused on winning over rural voters

Listen · 3:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5615326/nx-s1-9549192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Utah Gov. Cox appealed for civility after Charlie Kirk's murder. Did America listen?
Adam Younker for NPR

National

Utah Gov. Cox appealed for civility after Charlie Kirk's murder. Did America listen?

After right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for civility. NPR's Steve Inskeep spoke with him at a meeting of the Western Governors' Association.

Utah Gov. Cox called for civility after Charlie Kirk’s murder. Did America listen?

Listen · 7:47
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5615342/nx-s1-9547368" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The logo of social network X, formerly Twitter, on a smartphone. A new feature of the site gives more information about where accounts are primarily based from.

The logo of social network X, formerly Twitter, on a smartphone. A new feature of the site gives more information about where accounts are primarily based from. Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images

Technology

X's new location feature sparks controversy, but is the data reliable?

The new location feature suggested that some influencer accounts are based thousands of miles away from the countries they weigh in on. But X has explained very little about the data and how it works.

A new X feature exposed some influencers as not being based where they claim

Listen · 2:13
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5619239/nx-s1-9547361" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Laura Kelley, Miami-Dade County Democratic Party Chair, (second from the left) joins others to support a resolution in favor of reinstating temporary protected status for Venezuelans in February in Miami.

Laura Kelley, Miami-Dade County Democratic Party chair, (second from the left) joins others to support a resolution in favor of reinstating temporary protected status for Venezuelans in February in Miami. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

New poll shows Latino support for Trump is slipping after gains in 2024

The Pew Research Center's survey of Latinos show majorities disapprove of the president, especially his policies on the economy and immigration.

New poll shows Latino support for Trump is slipping after gains in 2024

Listen · 3:45
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5619170/nx-s1-9546968" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Lindsey Halligan, at the time special assistant to the president, fixes an earring at the end of an interview outside of the White House in August 2025, in Washington.

Lindsey Halligan, at the time special assistant to the president, fixes an earring at the end of an interview outside of the White House in August 2025, in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Law

Judge tosses Comey, James cases after finding prosecutor unlawfully appointed

The judge's decision on the appointment of Lindsey Halligan marks a significant setback to efforts to go after the president's perceived political enemies.

Judge tosses Comey, James cases after finding prosecutor unlawfully appointed

Listen · 3:42
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/g-s1-98612/nx-s1-9546848" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Voters fill out their ballots on Nov. 4 at a polling station in Hillsboro, Va. Virginia is one of just three states where only the governor can restore voting rights for people with felony convictions.

Voters fill out their ballots on Nov. 4 at a polling station in Hillsboro, Va. Virginia is one of just three states where only the governor can restore voting rights for people with felony convictions. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Elections

Virginia's tough rules for felons to regain their voting rights could soon be changing

VPM News

Virginia is one of just a few states where only the governor can restore voting rights for people with felony convictions. But Virginia's rules may soon be changing.

Virginia voting changes

Listen · 3:56
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5607029/nx-s1-9548854" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org