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WNYC Studios

Daily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives returned to work after a 54-day hiatus, and have been releasing documents throughout the day related to Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.

On Today's Show:
Nicholas Wu, congressional reporter at POLITICO, talks about the contents of the files, the upcoming vote in the House on the funding bill that would end the government shutdown, why some Democrats are furious at their Senate colleagues who broke ranks to cut a deal and more.

NOTE: This conversation was recorded on the morning of Wednesday, 11/12/25, amid a developing story. Check other trusted news sources for the latest.

Epstein Leaks Meet Shutdown End Game Drama

On Veterans Day, we explore recent changes to the US military under Pete Hegseth.

On Today's Show:
Paul Rieckhoff, independent national security, veterans affairs and political analyst, host of the Independent Americans podcast, founder & CEO, Independent Veterans of America, co-founder of American Veterans for Ukraine, founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), discusses how vets are viewing the changes Pete Hegseth is making to the armed forces, and how well they feel they are being taken care of under Hegseth and the Trump administration.

Veterans Group Leader: Hegseth Misses Military Reason For Diversity

A Long Island congressman explains his centrist, bi-partisan approach to the current political moment.

On Today's Show:
U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY3) talks about the Senate's possible end to the longest shutdown in history, and what the election of Zohran Mamdani means for the Democratic party.

Rep. Suozzi: No To The Shutdown Compromise (and Zohran Mamdani)

As Rep. Nancy Pelosi announces her decision to retire from Congress in 2027, the longest ever shutdown of the federal government continues.

On Today's Show:
Toluse Olorunnipa, staff writer at The Atlantic, discusses the latest national political news.

A SNAP Update And More From Day 38 Of The Shutdown

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on the legality of President Trump's tariffs. 

On Today's Show:
Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis of the case, and how the justices might be inclined to rule, based on their questions.

Will SCOTUS Avoid The Big Question In The Trump Tariffs Case?

Democrats won big in several electoral contests across the nation yesterday, including in NYC, New Jersey, Virginia and California. 

On Today's Show:
Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024) and the forthcoming The Queen and Her Presidents (Harpers, April 2026), talks about what the New York City mayoral results might mean for Democrats moving forward, and offers analysis of election results across the country.

How Trump Lost Without Being On The Ballot

In the Virginia governor's race, Democratic nominee and former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has maintained a lead in polls since very early in the race over Republican nominee Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

On Today's Show:
Markus Schmidt, senior Virginia politics reporter and deputy editor at The Virginia Mercury, breaks down the latest on Virginia's gubernatorial race.

The National Stakes Of The Virginia Governor's Race

One of the nation's most prolific historical documentarians takes on the American Revolution, ahead of next summer, when the US will celebrate its 250th birthday. 

On Today's Show:
Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker, and Sarah Botstein, co-director of "The American Revolution," talk about their new, 12-part docuseries on PBS called "The American Revolution," which is being released ahead of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, in July 2026.

The American Revolution According To Ken Burns

Due to the government shutdown, millions of Americans are likely to miss their Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) paychecks starting this Saturday. 

On Today's Show:
Grace Yarrow, food and agriculture policy reporter for POLITICO and author of POLITICO Pro's daily Morning Agriculture newsletter, reports on which states will be most impacted and how recipients are preparing. Plus, Karen Yi, WNYC and Gothamist reporter covering homelessness and poverty, explores how local and state resources are responding to the expected needs of NYC's communities.

The Shutdown Shuts Off Food For Millions

The federal shutdown continues, as President Trump continues to push the limits of executive power.

On Today's Show:
Joyce Vance, a legal analyst for MSNBC and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, University of Alabama School of Law professor, and author of the Civil Discourse Substack, and of the new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, 2025), talks about the rule of law and offers legal and historical context for the current moment in American history as she calls for citizens to uphold the Constitution.

How MSNBC’s Joyce Vance Stays Optimistic About Democracy

What constitutes an "authoritarian" government, and what causes them to fail?

On Today's Show:
Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, historian and author of Autocracy Inc. (Penguin, 2024), argues the checks on presidential power, put in place by the founders, have so far failed in the second Trump administration.

Anne Applebaum on 'Autocracy Inc.' In Hungary’s Economy and Ours

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