Ballot initiatives are one way for voters to get issues that matter to them enshrined in law, especially if lawmakers aren't interested in taking them on in local legislatures. But, efforts in several Republican-led states are trying to make it harder for people to get initiatives on ballots in the first place.

This podcast: voting correspondent Miles Parks, political correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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President Trump took his first major trip abroad this week, visiting the Middle East and signing business deals. We talk about what happened.

Then, the Department of Justice is pursuing charges against non-citizens alleged to have voted illegally in the 2024 election. It comes as President Trump tries to change national policies concerning voter identification.

This podcast: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, voting correspondent Miles Parks, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order to prevent children born in the U.S. to parents in the country without legal authorization from obtaining citizenship. On his second day in office, lawsuits were filed to block the order, citing the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause. The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case today, and we break down what happened.

This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political correspondent Susan Davis, and national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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His face may not be on any currency issued by the federal government, but President Trump has lent his support and image to a meme coin, a kind of cryptocurrency. We look at how his policies on crypto intersect with his business endeavors.

This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, political reporter Stephen Fowler, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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For the first time, the leader of the Catholic Church is from the United States. We discuss how Pope Leo XIV's election may play a role in U.S. politics, both for Catholics and others.

This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, religion correspondent Jason DeRose, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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After saying his tariff policies "will never change," President Trump announced he was reducing tariffs on imports from China from 145 percent to 30 percent. China, in turn, lowered its retaliatory tariffs. What's next?

Then, previewing the president's upcoming trip to the Middle East.

This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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The Trump administration announced plans, currently on hold, to deport migrants to Libya, even if they are not from the country originally, and offered a financial incentive for people to "self-deport."

Then, President Trump pulled his previous nominee for surgeon general, and nominated a wellness influencer recommended to him by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

And, we say so long — but not farewell — to a podcast stalwart.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, science correspondent Will Stone, and White House correspondent Asma Khalid.

The podcast is produced by Lexie Schapitl, Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. 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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Both Presidents Biden and Trump launched bombing campaigns against Houthi rebels in Yemen after the militant group attacked ships in the Red Sea. This week, Trump said the campaign was over, and the Houthis had agreed to a ceasefire — a claim the militants deny. We explain why the campaign started, why it ended, and what's to come.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security correspondent Greg Myre, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Casey Morell. 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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President Donald Trump hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House Tuesday. The meeting comes at a time where relations between the two neighbors and allies are unusually icy.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. 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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In her Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi promised that the "weaponization" of the Justice Department would stop. Now, over 100 days into Trump's second term, critics worry that the Trump administration is doing just that.

This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and justice correspondent Ryan Lucas.

The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. 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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