

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
WNYC Studios
Daily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 14, 2025 • 26min
Pressure Mounts for GOP to Deliver Trump’s Promises
As they head to recess, pressure mounts on Republican lawmakers to fulfill President Donald Trump's agenda.On Today's Show:Catie Edmondson, congressional correspondent for The New York Times, offers political analysis of the budget blueprints passed by Congress last week, including what tax and spending cuts might look like and why Republicans were far from united on this.

Apr 11, 2025 • 30min
Trump is Testing the Wall Street 'Confidence Game'
On Today's Show:William Cohan, co-founder of Puck News and author of many books, including Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (Penguin Random House, 2022), offers analysis of the latest twists and turns of President Trump's trade war, and how Wall Street is reacting to the chaotic rollout — and rollback — of the tariffs.

Apr 10, 2025 • 23min
Sen. Gillibrand Says Dems Are Fighting Trump, But Clickbait Media Won't Cover It
Every month, listeners have the opportunity to speak directly to their lawmakers.On Today's Show:U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D NY), talks about her work in Washington, and the struggle by Democrats to hold the media's attention in their opposition to the Trump administration.

Apr 9, 2025 • 23min
SCOTUS Starts Evaluating The Constitution According to Trump
Today, we'll hear about the Supreme Court's recent decisions about certain Trump administration policies, and what it means for democracy.On Today's Show:Kate Shaw, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, and a contributing opinion writer with the New York Times, offers legal analysis of how the Supreme Court is acting as a check on the president so far (or not).

Apr 8, 2025 • 21min
Federal Cut to Rape Prevention; What Dr. Oz Said About Medicaid
Last week thousands of federal employees who work for health agencies like the CDC, NIH and FDA lost their jobs. On Today's Show:Selena Simmons-Duffin, health policy correspondent for NPR, reports on what kinds of jobs and programs were cut and where the impact will be felt.

Apr 7, 2025 • 23min
Sen. Cory Booker on What Comes After His Marathon Speech
After a weekend of protests against the Trump administration, we hear from a leading Democrat who made headlines last week for an official act of dissent. On Today's Show:U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D, NJ) talks about his record-breaking speech on the Senate floor last week and the Democratic response to Pres. Trump's agenda.

Apr 4, 2025 • 21min
Global Markets in Turmoil After Trump's New Tariffs
Global markets are in turmoil after President Trump announced his long-promised tariffs.On Today's Show:Kathryn Anne Edwards, economist and economic policy consultant, offers analysis of the market reaction and explains how they will hit consumers' wallets—plus how the overall economy may fare in the weeks and months ahead as other countries respond.

Apr 3, 2025 • 20min
Democrats Had A Good Week. Can They Keep Up The Momentum?
Democrats have enjoyed strong showings in special elections in Florida and a big win in Wisconsin this week, not to mention Sen. Cory Booker's record-breaking speech on the Senate floor.On Today's Show:Katie Glueck, political reporter at The New York Times, offers analysis of Dems' very good week.

Apr 2, 2025 • 22min
The Death Penalty, And Luigi Mangione, the Left's Martyr
The Trump Administration is seeking the death penalty in the case against Luigi Mangione, who allegedly stalked and fatally shot a health insurance executive. On Today's Show:Samantha Max, reporter covering public safety for WNYC/Gothamist, talks about Trump's relationship with capital punishment, and how Mangione's status as a folk hero to some factors into the political equation.

Apr 1, 2025 • 21min
Why Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs Are Different
President Trump is reportedly planning to unveil a slate of new tariffs on Wednesday, which he has dubbed "Liberation Day."On Today's Show:Felix Salmon, chief financial correspondent for Axios, host of the Slate Money Podcast, and author of The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal (Harper Business, 2023), talks about President Trump's trade policies, and whether new taxes on imports will boost U.S. manufacturing, as the administration hopes it will.


