The NPR Politics Podcast
Episode: Welcome to the NPR Washington Desk
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Ashley Lopez (and the NPR Washington Desk team)
Episode Overview
To ring in 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast opens its doors for a behind-the-scenes “virtual tour” around their Washington Desk. Regular reporters reflect on the most significant political events of 2025, share their personal milestones, and look forward to emerging stories and dynamics that will shape politics in 2026. The tone is candid, reflective, and often humorous as the team offers listeners a peek into the NPR newsroom and their own experiences on the campaign trail and in Washington.
Meet the Reporters [00:52–03:18]
- Barbara Sprunt: Congressional reporter—covers the House and Senate.
- Ryan Lucas: Justice Department correspondent, with experience as a foreign correspondent.
- Elena Moore: Politics reporter, recently shifted from covering young voters, joined NPR as an intern.
- Danielle Kurtzleben: White House reporter with backgrounds in economics and political coverage.
- Frank Ordonez: White House reporter, in Washington since 2011, and chronicler of both Trump administrations.
Reflections on Careers & Covering Politics [00:56–03:18]
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Reporters share how they started and what keeps them going.
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Frank Ordonez describes shifting from policy to White House coverage in 2016:
Quote:“I was actually pulled from policy into covering the White House, literally just a few days from Inauguration Day.” [01:19]
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Barbara Sprunt humorously recalls thinking 2015 would be “the craziest year ever… and then, of course, that was not the case” with the wild years that followed—including COVID and subsequent elections. [01:49]
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Danielle Kurtzleben shares how meeting Don Gonyea (now a colleague) was a standout moment when she started.
Quote:“I was just fangirling and like I was tongue tied. I couldn’t talk to him. And now I get to work with him.” [02:39]
Biggest Surprises and Political Moments of 2025
Justice & Rule of Law
- Ryan Lucas spotlights the Justice Department’s unexpected targeting of law firms representing those the president dislikes:
Quote:“I think the president’s targeting of law firms and using the power of the presidency to try to… punish law firms for representing people or causes that he doesn’t like was… unexpected.” [03:18]
Technology’s Impact: Artificial Intelligence
- Danielle Kurtzleben names AI as profoundly consequential:
Quote:“We already have a broken sense of truth and facts in our politics. What could break that more?” [04:10]
White House Culture Shift
- Frank Ordonez notes dramatic change between current and prior Trump administration:
Quote:“There’s always these colors behind the scenes… factions in the White House… leaks as a big currency… This time it’s a much more closed shop. The message is much more controlled.” [04:26–06:13]
Young Voters and Rising Stars
- Elena Moore mentions tracking trajectories, like Caroline Levitt’s from failed congressional candidate to White House press secretary.
Quote:“Just a few years ago we were talking about her running for Congress.” [06:13]
Congressional Dysfunction & Government Shutdown
- Barbara Sprunt on the shock of the lengthy 2025 government shutdown and its impacts:
Quote:“Just how long it went on for and how the House was sent home… it kind of sets the tone going into next year.” [07:04]
What to Watch in 2026
Economic Messaging & Campaigns
- Elena Moore anticipates both parties doubling down on economic messaging, especially to young voters:
Quote:“I think it’ll be really interesting to just see how different campaigns talk about that issue and how they try to relate to people… try to be normal people to voters.” [09:39]
Justice Department’s Role
- Ryan Lucas watches for continued use of DOJ powers for political purposes, referencing prosecutions of Tish James and James Comey. [10:27]
Foreign Policy: Ukraine & Venezuela
- Frank Ordonez highlights foreign policy as a pivotal issue:
- U.S. posture toward Russia/Ukraine
- Military buildup and pressure on Venezuela
Quote:
“Whether this White House continues to… support for, you know, kind of sympathy for Russia versus… Ukraine. Can this White House actually bring an end to that war?” [10:56]
“The other big one is… the military buildup in the Caribbean and the pressure campaign against Venezuela…” [11:39]
Congressional Calendar & the “DC Bubble”
- Barbara Sprunt notes lawmakers will spend less time in DC due to the midterms, making local campaigning key.
Quote:“There’s, like, a lot of red on that calendar… I do think it means there’s a lot of interesting opportunities for going out into the world, getting out of the DC Bubble…” [12:21]
Supreme Court & Trump’s Economic Agenda
- Danielle Kurtzleben points toward the looming Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s tariffs as potentially game-changing.
Quote:“It could fundamentally shake Trump’s entire economic agenda.” [13:13]
The “Political Bingo Card” for 2026 [13:37–16:36]
The team playfully speculates about the unexpected moments that could define the new year:
- Frank Ordonez: Will Trump push to rename soccer as “football” during the World Cup? [13:37]
- Elena Moore: Hopes for a new “First Pet” in the White House and jokes about pop culture moments. [14:36]
- Ryan Lucas: Vows to avoid predictions altogether. [15:07]
- Danielle Kurtzleben: Foresees Democratic focus on “young, sporty guy’s guy type candidates.” [15:13]
- Barbara Sprunt: Suggests a drinking game for political buzzwords: “affordability,” “government shutdown,” “continuing resolution,” “appropriations.” [15:59]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Frank Ordonez on the change in White House style:
“It is a different ship. It is a different way that it’s happening. It’s not as much… shocking breaking news on a Friday night at 9pm like it was in the first administration.” [05:30]
- Danielle Kurtzleben on AI’s significance:
“Tell me another thing that happened this year that’s going to be that consequential in our politics.” [04:10]
- Elena Moore marvels at Caroline Levitt’s trajectory:
“That was Caroline Levitt, you know, now the White House press secretary… now… one of the most high profile people in Washington.” [06:13]
- Barbara Sprunt on the 2025 shutdown’s impact:
“Seeing the House get sent home for so long and then… what members are doing in their districts… sets the tone going into next year.” [07:04]
Looking Ahead & Good Wishes [16:42–17:23]
The show closes with each reporter wishing listeners a Happy New Year and reflecting on gratitude and tenacity in covering U.S. politics.
- Elena Moore:
“Stay warm, stay sane, stay going along. Continue. Yep, that’s the slogan. Put that on a mug.” [17:00]
Key Timestamps of Discussion Points
| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------|-------------| | Show intro & purpose | 00:18–00:52 | | Reporter introductions/career stories | 00:52–03:18 | | Biggest moments & surprises of 2025 | 03:18–07:41 | | Outlook for 2026 (thematic breakdowns) | 09:20–13:24 | | Political bingo card & playful bets | 13:37–16:36 | | Farewell & New Year wishes | 16:42–17:23 |
Takeaways
- 2025 proved unpredictable, with high-profile shifts in legal and political norms, Congressional gridlock, and newcomers rising to major roles.
- The 2026 midterms, the economy, and the interplay of technology and truth will be dominant themes.
- Reporters warned listeners: expect surprises, and be ready for the D.C. “bubble” to be punctured by real-life voter concerns in a contentious election year.
- The NPR Politics team’s camaraderie and humor shine, providing both insights and levity as another unpredictable year in U.S. politics gets underway.