logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
18m 8s

Trump Rolls Back Federal DEI Rules

NPR
About this episode
The president argues such programs, meant to increase the diversity of the federal workforce, were discriminatory in nature. The actions place employees staffing federal DEI programs on leave, and call for agencies to develop a "reduction-in-force action" against the employees.

Then, during a prayer service at the National Cathedral Tuesday, the Episcopal bishop of Washington directly confronted President Trump while he and Vice President J.D. Vance were seated in the front row.

This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, political correspondent Susan Davis, and religion correspondent Jason DeRose.

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

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
Why Trump Says He Wants To Send The National Guard To Chicago And Portland
President Trump has taken steps to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and to Portland, Oregon. We discuss how the administration justifies those actions, as well as how Albuquerque, New Mexico, is using that state’s National Guard to fight crimeThis episode: senior White Hou ... Show More
18m 24s
Oct 7
How The Shutdown Is Affecting Federal Workers And Services
The federal government shutdown is in its seventh day, with negotiations on Capitol Hill over reopening the government at a stalemate. We discuss how the shutdown is affecting federal workers and the services they keep running, as well as warnings by the White House that they wil ... Show More
15m 31s
Oct 6
Unpacking The New Jersey And Virginia Races For Governor
Voters in New Jersey and Virginia are casting their ballots in their states’ gubernatorial elections. We discuss the major issues at play and whether federal politics are affecting the races.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Ashl ... Show More
18m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 22
Charlie Kirk’s Politically Charged Memorial
Conservatives from around the country flocked to Arizona on Sunday to memorialize the activist Charlie Kirk. The service included leaders from the highest levels of the U.S. government, including Vice President JD Vance and President Trump.Two clear strands emerged during the mem ... Show More
31m 20s
Oct 6
The ‘Grim Reaper’ of the Government Shutdown
During the continuing government shutdown, President Trump has posted memes depicting Russel T. Vought, the White House budget director, as the grim reaper.Coral Davenport, a Washington correspondent for The Times, explains how Mr. Vought, a once obscure official, has become one ... Show More
36m 54s
Aug 8
Trump Goes Bananas
Reeling from the Epstein crisis, Donald Trump turns even more erratic and destructive—launching a grand jury investigation into the make-believe crimes of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, threatening to seize control of the D.C. police, and sharing some eugenicist theories about ... Show More
1h 25m
Sep 2024
Scenes From A Dystopian Film
Monday, September 9th, 2024Today, a North Carolina court ruling on RFK Jr. disrupts mail in voting; DeSantis’ election police questioned people who signed abortion petitions; NPR names the Trump staffers who assaulted the Arlington Cemetery employee; veterans are turning away fro ... Show More
53m 44s
Aug 21
The Right-Wing Provocateur Who Has Trump’s Ear
Warning: This episode contains strong language.In President Trump’s second term, Laura Loomer has emerged as the most influential outside adviser, telling the president whom to fire and shaping major policy decisions.Ken Bensinger, who covers media and politics, explains how a so ... Show More
37m 7s
Sep 16
Trump Promises Free Speech Crackdown
In response to the murder of Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump vows retribution against his political opponents, JD Vance asks Americans to snitch on anyone criticizing Kirk's politics, and Stephen Miller pledges to "disrupt, dismantle, and destroy" left-wing organizations. Jon, Lovett, ... Show More
1h 20m
Aug 22
Officer Trump Patrols Washington
Donald Trump heads out on "patrol" in Washington, JD Vance hosts a photo op with the National Guard at the Union Station Shake Shack, and Stephen Miller—taking a moment away from terrorizing immigrants—excoriates "communists" and "elderly white hippies" for daring to protest. Dan ... Show More
1h 44m
Apr 2025
Hegseth in turmoil, Trump’s sinking polls
Senior politics reporter Aaron Blake talks with The Washington Post’s chief correspondent covering national politics, Dan Balz, and national security reporter Abigail Hauslohner about new reporting this week about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Hegseth’s continued use of Signal, ... Show More
32m 52s
Aug 26
Trump moves to expand military's role in law enforcement
President Trump moves to expand the military’s role in law enforcement around the nation, and suggests Chicago could be next. Then, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker vows to resist Trump’s plans for troops on the ground, calling them “illegal, unconstitutional, and unamerican.” Plus, ... Show More
42m 21s
Oct 4
Federal workers reaffirming loyalty to the Constitution, not politics
Federal workers across the United States are feeling the impact of the government shutdown. This comes after months of turmoil for federal workers as agencies have slashed their workforces as part of the Trump administration's large-scale government job cuts.NPR's Andrea Hsu talk ... Show More
10m 34s