President Trump was aware of the severity of the coronavirus in early February, telling Bob Woodward that it was much more severe than the flu. In public, Trump used the flu comparison in a different way: highlighting the flu's high seasonal death toll compared to the few dozen early cases of coronavirus.He admitted to Woodward…

Mike Pence formally accepted the vice presidential nomination on the third night of the Republican National Convention. As racial justice protests continue across the country after a shooting in Wisconsin, Pence touted Trump as a president who stands up for "our heritage."Read our recap of the night. Sign up for the newsletter.This episode: congressional correspondent…

Those were the dual messages of the first night of the Democratic convention from former Republican governor of Ohio John Kasich and progressive firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders.There was a heavy focus on the pandemic, including a powerful speech from Kristin Urquiza, the daughter of a Trump supporter who died after contracting the virus.And, Michelle Obama…

In June, the Senate confirmed President Trump's 200th judge to the bench. With a dearth of legislative achievements to point to, reshaping the federal judiciary could be the president's most durable legacy.This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, national justice correspondent Carrie Johnson, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics…

President Trump and his campaign are sticking to culture war messaging even as some congressional Republicans cede ground on police reform as an increasing majority of Americans voice their support for the protests.This episode: campaign correspondents Asma Khalid and Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and senior political editor and correspondent Ron Elving.Connect:Subscribe to…

As the country erupts in protests over police brutality and racism, two-thirds of Americans think President Trump has increased racial tensions. That poll comes as news that 2.5 million American jobs were added in May as Trump encourages the country to reopen. Plus, a look at the type of leadership Americans want in this moment.This…

In an at-times tense exchange on the radio show Breakfast Club, former Vice President Joe Biden said, "If you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black." The comments drew widespread criticism.Plus, China moves to exert more control over Hong Kong causing more tension with the United States.This…

Joe Biden's campaign momentum continued on Big Tuesday, with decisive wins in at least three of six primary elections. The results paint a grim picture for Bernie Sanders and his chances of securing the nomination. This episode: White House correspondent Tamara Keith, campaign correspondents Asma Khalid and Scott Detrow, and senior political editor and correspondent…

Moderate presidential hopefuls face a collective action problem—each wants to see voters rally behind one alternative to Bernie Sanders, but (so far) none are willing to quit the race in order to make it happen.And while Joe Biden was once the uncontested front-runner in South Carolina, lavish spending by Tom Steyer and an uptick in…

This is a special episode, recorded in front of a live audience at Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks, California. The cast recaps the ninth Democratic primary debate, in which candidates turned up the heat ahead of this weekend's Nevada caucuses. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — a newcomer to the 2020 debate stage…