Ron Elving

It was another week of conflicting messages from the White House about the coronavirus crisis.

The national Democratic and Republican Party conventions are essentially the opposite of social distancing. Some are wondering if they're truly necessary any more, given the ongoing epidemic.

Few episodes in American government have left as permanent an imprint on the national memory. And perhaps none has left so much of a visible legacy on the American landscape.

After congressional insistence on an inspector general for coronavirus relief funds, Trump declared it yet another witch hunt. Meanwhile, he found another big effort for his son-in-law to head up.

In years to come, how will fiscal conservatives who voted for $2 trillion attack the cost of budget items that will now look like rounding error or "decimal dust"?"

We discuss the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the points of tension between President Trump and some governors demanding more resources for their state.

Consider the experiences of "wartime presidents" since FDR, including Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and both Presidents Bush, before deciding you want to be a wartime president.

We talk about the White House's handling of the coronavirus crisis and the timeline for the now-delayed democratic primaries in several states.

Most people have long since constructed their own method for sorting through competing sources of information and will rely on that method when deciding what to think and how to react in a crisis.

With Super Tuesday in the rearview mirror, we look to what's to come on Big Tuesday and how the coronavirus will affect the presidential election.

From the debate to the primaries — South Carolina and Super Tuesday — we give you the week's big political stories.

Politicians seek endorsements from influential lawmakers, celebrities and media sources. Whether or not they make a big difference isn't as clear.

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with NPR senior editor Ron Elving about the week's political news.

In this week's look at politics, the U.S. attorney general tells the president to stay out of the Justice Department but did he mean it? Meanwhile, Congress tries to reign in Trump's war powers.

If there is a successful second Trump term, his impeachment will shrink into insignificance. If things go the other way, the Senate's vote to acquit him may seem a missed opportunity.

Aside from times of genuine national crisis, it is hard to recall a week with as many events of political significance as the one we have all just witnessed.

The president fired key witnesses from his impeachment proceedings on Friday, while the race for the Democratic presidential nomination turns to New Hampshire

Minutes away from the start of the Iowa caucuses, NPR's political team is the Midwestern state with the candidates — and also in the studio awaiting results.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced on Friday that the final vote on impeachment will be held Wednesday. Where do things stand now? Plus, looking ahead to Iowa and the State of the Union.

What themes emerged from hours of questioning in the Senate impeachment trial? And did the questions settle the issue of whether or not we will hear from any additional witnesses?