The Docket is a new ongoing series from The NPR Politics Podcast where we examine the backstory of the laws that impact our daily life. 

Traffic stops are a routine police practice, but with the rise in body cams and cell phone footage, people have begun to witness how they can escalate to violence and even death. We examine how the law itself may contribute to that escalation. Warning: this episode contains graphic audio. 

This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

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The Docket: The Law Defers To Police During Traffic Stops

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Months after Special Counsel Jack Smith first asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, the Supreme Court finally heard the former president's appeal. At least a few of the conservative justices seemed receptive to Trump's argument. What is unclear is whether the court will act in time to allow the federal cases against the former president to be resolved before the 2024 election. 

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving.

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. 

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Absolute Immunity?

Sen. Jon Tester is an experienced political strategist and capable campaigner whose reputation as a working farmer has helped him to defy the odds as a Democratic in ruby-red Montana. But can he win re-election in a year that one of opponents, Republican Tim Sheehy, could benefit from Donald Trump's coattails?

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Susan Davis, and Montana Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Shaylee Ragar. 

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. 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.

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Donald Trump Won Montana By Double-Digits. Can Its Democratic Senator Keep His Seat?

Texas's 15th Congressional District is held by Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Republican. Her Democratic challenger is Michelle Vallejo. Organizers from both parties believe they've got the right message to win the district's Tejano voters.

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. 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.

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Tejano Votes And A Competitive Texas Congressional Race

The 2024 presidential race will come down to two key regions: the industrial Midwest and the Sun Belt, The number of white voters without a college degree is dwindling as a share of the total electorate, but can Trump's inroads with voters of color help him to make up the ground he needs to defeat President Biden?

This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. 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.

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Sneak Peek: NPR's Electoral College Map Analysis

Foreign aid legislation is advancing to a vote in the House thanks to Democratic support, as a third Republican signs on to the effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson. And a prospective juror in the Trump trial was excused after the press published details that could have led to her being publicly identified.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, political correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales, and senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

This podcast was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Casey Morell. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. 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.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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The Docket: The Law Defers To Police During Traffic Stops

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