Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Daily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 21 minutes
- Episodes
- 192
- Years Active
- 2025
Is the SALT Deduction (Always) (Sometimes) (Never) a Good Idea?
On today's show: Andrew Lautz, associate director for the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Economic Policy Program, talks about the impact of raising the cap on SALT (state and local tax) deductions—and wh…
Law Prof. Leah Litman Accuses SCOTUS of Running On “No Law, Just Vibes”
Why does one legal analyst say that the current Supreme Court is operating under a doctrine akin to “no law, just vibes?”
On Today's Show:
Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan an…
Defunded Health Researcher Tells His Story, Reacts to RFK Children’s Health Diagnosis
New York City's CUNY system recently lost federal funding for more than 70 research grants.
On Today's Show:
Denis Nash, professor of epidemiology at the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Heal…
The Future Of The ERA After 100 Years
Today, we revisit a conversation about the Equal Rights Amendment, and its current status.
On Today's Show:
Julie Suk, a law professor at Fordham University and the author of We the Women: The Unstoppa…
Sen. Gillibrand on the House’s Tax and Safety Net Cuts
This morning, the House passed a spending bill after many long late nights of negotiations. Now it moves on to the Senate.
On Today's Show:
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) talks about her work i…
After the Budget All-Nighter
As President Trump attempts to get the House's new budget bill to pass, lawmakers met overnight to pursue amendments that could lead to compromise.
On Today's Show:
Marianna Sotomayor, congressional r…
Dem Rep. Pallone On The Specific Ways Medicaid Would Be Cut
On Sunday, House Republicans released their package of proposals that would cut federal spending on Medicaid and Obamacare.
On Today's Show:
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ6), ranking member of…
Emily Bazelon on Rule of Law vs. Autocracy Developments at SCOTUS
We unpack SCOTUS's decision to continue to prohibit the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged gang members.
On Today's Show:
Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York…
Trump Cuts Come for Arts Organizations Big and Small
Trump's administration has aimed to pare back federal funding to various parts of civic society.
On Today's Show:
Brian Boucher, contributor for Artnet News and journalist covering the New York art wor…
WNYC President LaFontaine Oliver On The Campaign To Defund Public Broadcasting
The federal government is aiming to take steps to reduce public funding to public media sources through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
On Today's Show:
LaFontaine Oliver, president and CEO of…
Senator Chris Murphy On How To Save Democracy
A Democratic senator outlines his critiques of the Trump administration, and outlines his prescription for protecting the guardrails of democracy.
On Today's Show:
Chris Murphy, U.S. Senator (D-CT), au…
Dems For NJ Guv Debate After Baraka Arrest at ICE Facility
At a recent primary event for Democrats hoping to be NJ's next Governor, candidates discussed how they are thinking about a relationship with President Trump's administration.
On Today's Show:
Michael…
Supreme Court Justices Are Speaking Up
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson has made comments characterizing the Trump administration's behavior toward the legal profession as "threats and harassment."
On Today's Show:
Mark Joseph St…
Explainer: Trump’s Crypto Windfall and Corruption Claims
In president Trump's first administration, he stated that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are "not money". Now, his sons head their own crypto company.
On Today's Show:
David Yaffe-Bellany, technolo…
The Science and Politics of Fixing Air Traffic Control
Communication blackouts, delayed flights, staffing shortages -- New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport has been in crisis mode for the past week.
On Today's Show:
Pete Muntean, CNN correspo…
Will RFK’s New Vaccine Policy Cancel Fall COVID Shots?
Last week, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Food and Drug Administration would require all new vaccines to be tested against placebos and to develop new vaccines without usin…
Why The President Is Coming For Your Kids’ Dolls
With the impacts of President Trump's trade wars beginning to be felt in the US, we discuss the macro- and micro-economics of the administration's trade policy.
On Today's Show:
Kimberly Adams, senior …
Pass the SALT? Tax and Spending Cuts Time In Congress
With officials and lawmakers in Washington D.C. discussing federal budget priorities, we look the coming year in government funding.
On Today's Show:
Kadia Goba, politics reporter for Semafor, reports…
Judge Compares Student Deportation Policy to McCarthy
Several cases of the Trump administration's immigration detentions and deportations have raised questions about due process.
On Today's Show:
Nick Miroff, staff writer for The Atlantic who covers immig…
100 Years of Women In The Military (With Great Caller Stories)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously discussed blocking women from military service, though has since backed off on those efforts.
On Today's Show:
Katherine Sharp Landdeck, professor of hist…