Claim OwnershipThe Playbook Podcast
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POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns bring their fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the biggest story driving the day in the nation’s capital.
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Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) – the MAGA acolyte-turned-antagonist who resigned from Congress after a public and messy fight with Donald Trump – joins “The Conversation” to talk about the war in Iran, why she thinks the GOP will be “slaughtered” in the midterms and her desire to build a new political coalition in America.
Today Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg take the stage in New York City, offering an early glimpse at a possible 2028 clash. Meanwhile, a fragile Iran ceasefire is raising fresh questions abroad, and Senate Republicans head to the White House to talk reconciliation. POITICO’s Megan Messerly and Adam Wren break down the early 2028 dynamics, the foreign policy tensions and what comes next.
President Donald Trump’s fresh barrage of attacks on NATO is raising new questions about America’s commitment to the alliance. Meanwhile, confusion around the U.S.-Iran ceasefire continues to cloud the global picture. And Democrats weigh whether the moment presents a political opening. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren break down the NATO fallout, the state of the ceasefire and what to watch next.
President Donald Trump’s sudden move to step back from the brink and agree to a two-week ceasefire with Iran is raising questions about what comes next. Meanwhile, NATO’s secretary general arrives in Washington today amid growing strain on the alliance. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the ceasefire, the political fallout and what to watch next.
President Donald Trump has given Iran until 8 p.m. tonight to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — or face a potentially devastating military escalation. Meanwhile, in Georgia, polls will be closing in the special congressional runoff to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene just as Trump’s deadline looms. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the stakes and potential fallout as the clock ticks down.
President Donald Trump is set to hold a press conference following the successful rescue of an American airman in Iran over the weekend. But it comes amid escalating tensions, after Trump issued a profane and jarring Sunday morning post threatening strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down the stakes — and the striking contrast with a historic NASA moon mission unfolding at the same time.
Artemis II has launched around the moon. Now, NASA has its sights set on Mars. NASA administrator and billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman sat down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns at Kennedy Space Center to talk about NASA’s ambitious plans to build a moon base, sending humans to Mars, his relationship with Elon Musk and why we could all have 3D-printed spare livers in our fridge someday.
President Donald Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi, kicking off what sources say could be a broader round of cabinet shakeups as frustration builds inside the White House. Dasha Burns reports on who could be next. She also shares insights from her sit-down with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and his aggressive new moon-to-Mars push. Co-host Adam Wren previews a key gathering of 2028 Democratic hopefuls in New York.
President Trump gave a primetime address on Iran to the nation on Wednesday night. Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break down the rhetoric, the unclear endgame, and what Trump’s “two to three weeks” timeline really means for the conflict, global oil markets, and America’s allies. Plus, one year after Liberation Day, how Trump’s tariff agenda has actually played out, and a surprising twist in the long-running DHS shutdown fight that could hand Democrats the upper hand.
It’s a busy start to April for Donald Trump. The president heads to the Supreme Court for a test of his effort to end birthright citizenship, a long-shot legal fight with big political stakes for the base and his broader coalition. Tonight, he’ll address the nation on the war in Iran as tensions with European allies simmer. And in between, all eyes turn to Florida, where NASA is set to launch Artemis II — sending humans farther into space than ever before and kicking off a new era in the global space race. Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break it all down.
We’re a quarter of the way through 2026, and the Trump administration is facing challenges at home and abroad. The president is at a critical moment on Iran as military pressure ramps up and the effect of diplomatic efforts remains murky. Meanwhile, the DHS shutdown drags into record territory with no clear end in sight. And a wave of Republican primaries could test just how strong Trump’s grip on the party really is. Dasha Burns and Jack Blanchard break down the big inflection points to watch.
1Trump heads into a consequential week as he weighs whether to escalate the war in Iran, with the prospect of U.S. ground troops looming. At the same time, the Supreme Court takes up his birthright citizenship order, the anniversary of his tariff push brings renewed focus on affordability, and fresh jobs data will test his economic message. Hosts Jack Blanchard and Adam Wren break it all down.
Andy Beshear is the most popular Democratic governor in the country – in a state Donald Trump won by more than 30 points in 2024.
He explains why he believes a President JD Vance could be “more damaging than Trump”, lays out his playbook for winning back voters in Trump country, and calls out the litmus test he thinks Democrats should abandon.
Can a Democrat who wins in deep-red Kentucky translate that success nationally? Beshear argues why someone like him may have an advantage at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.
Today, we're bringing you a new episode of 'On the Road' with Jonathan Martin, a new POLITICO show. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sits down for a wide-ranging conversation about the personal experiences that shaped his political career.
A leading potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Newsom has been raising his national profile by taking on President Donald Trump and traveling to key early primary states while promoting his new memoir.
In the interview with Martin, Newsom reflects on his upbringing, outlines what he sees at stake for Democrats in 2026 and explains his increasingly aggressive strategy toward Trump.
You can find more episodes in the 'On the Road with Jonathan Martin' feed wherever you get your podcasts.
President Donald Trump's decision to stay neutral in the Texas GOP Senate runoff between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas AG Ken Paxton is vexing Republicans. Though Trump at one point appeared ready to back Cornyn, many are wondering if he will punt on the race altogether as he pushes for passage of the SAVE Act. The messy runoff is likely to become more expensive, and could leave an opening for Democrats. Playbook's Adam Wren and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the latest drama.
President Donald Trump is convening the first Cabinet meeting since Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as DHS secretary. But it's also the first confab since Trump launched a military operation against Iran — a topic that is sure to dominate much of the conversation. And the headlines swirling around aren't friendly for Trump: gas prices are still surging and polling shows sinking public support. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the stakes surrounding the Iran operation.
Democrats got more big wins on Tuesday night, flipping two legislative seats in reliably red Florida, including the district containing President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home. The wins don't dent Florida Republicans' supermajority, but they mark more performances for Democrats that have defied expectations ahead of the pivotal midterm elections. Playbook's Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the warning signs for Republicans, and a notable Trump absence.
A Russian oil tanker is steaming toward the Caribbean, most likely destined for Cuba. But that's not really the story behind the ship and its cargo. It’s a message, according to people close to the White House, former ambassadors and Russia observers — a negotiating chit, a provocation designed to force a disproportionate American response while Washington is consumed elsewhere. Playbook's Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the geopolitical stakes of Russia's oil play.
Republicans so far have peeled off a handful of Democrats to pass the DHS funding bill in previous votes, but it's still stalled in the Senate. But new demands from President Donald Trump could threaten any progress. Meanwhile, a new push from an influential Democratic think tank wants to help Democrats reclaim political ground on the issue ahead of the midterms. Playbook's Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the next turn of the screw on immigrating messaging between both parties.
When Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) won his Senate seat in 2024, he outperformed Kamala Harris in one of the closest battleground states in the country.
Now that he’s in Washington, Gallego’s background is particularly relevant at this moment in politics. With the Iran War intensifying, Gallego offers his perspective as an Iraq War veteran on Trump’s military operation. And as a Latino Democratic senator of a border state, Gallego has a distinctive outlook on immigration, with criticism for his own party as well as the GOP.
Sen. Gallego sat down with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to talk about voter ID, the 2028 election, and if he thinks Democrats can become the “fun” party again.
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Once again I can't take Politico as a serious news outlet when they failed to mention the murder of Renee Good by Trump's Gestapo Nazi regime and instead chose to cover his policy on whole milk, of which he fell asleep - I mean WTF? The man fell asleep in front of a packed room including children and you don't mention it? Seriously?
Once again, Politico manages to trip over itself in an effort to cover for the dysfunctional Trump administration. Dasha claimed that Trump “really knows his base,” yet in the same podcast admitted that many in the MAGA base are furious over his decision to eliminate ACA subsidies. Then there’s the fact that he invited a known terrorist to the White House — another move that outraged his supporters. So which is it? Does he not know his base, or does he simply not care?
It's the Monday after the "No King's" protest in which 7+ million Americans participated and "crickets" from this podcast - amazing.
It never ceases to amaze me how Politico consistently delivers a masterclass in polishing turds. This Trump regime is a slow-motion train wreck that’s destroying real lives, yet Dasha Burns reports as if everything is perfectly normal. Truly astonishing.
I'm from macomb! 😊
I'm supposed to trust a news outfit sponsored by amazon?
The setting he is using on this microphone is making his voice sound like its only consonants. And then he talks 90 MPH and the words grable horribly.
The speaking audio quality is absolutely terrible. Be a professional. Get a microphone. #playbook #politico
we're gonna underestimate the #maga fascists again? @politico
Holy shit slow down when you talk. Can barely understand what some of your sentences say.
why do you call them "the squad"? it's racist & misogynistic. I don't hear anyone giving Manchin or Simena a negative name. do better Politico!
The past 10 Presidents could NOT FIX IMMIGRATION, Harris is supposed to? Biden throwing immigration on her tells me he is either a f_ing idiot or wants to get rid of her. I'm shocked Harris is not better prepared when speaking to the press and after her current answers, I can only deduce that she would make a lousy POTUS. The GOP will destroy her as they did with Hillary & Obama. I want a POTUS who destroys Trumpism.
Go figure the media company that relies on health care advertising is against the politicians who are for cheaper better healthcare for everyone that cuts the profit out. Big surprise.