This year, the 2026 midterm elections will decide which party controls Congress, and whether Republicans can hold on to every lever of influence in Washington.

Annie Karni and Shane Goldmacher, who cover politics, discuss the opportunities and perils for both parties.

Guest:

• Annie Karni, a congressional correspondent at The New York Times.
• Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• Both President Trump and the Democrats are floating unusual midterm conventions.
• Here are six big political questions for the new year.
• And here are the latest polls for the 2026 elections.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

On Monday, President Trump picked Vice President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela, now the interim leader, to continue to preside over the country instead of María Corina Machado, the opposition leader.

Anatoly Kurmanaev, who reports on Venezuela, explains why Mr. Trump chose a Maduro loyalist to run the country. And Venezuelan citizens reflect on the realities of a post-Maduro era.

Guest: Anatoly Kurmanaev, a reporter for The New York Times who covers Venezuela.

Background reading:

• How Mr. Trump fixed on a Maduro loyalist as Venezuela’s new leader.
• Why he refused to back Ms. Machado.

Photo: From left, Gaby Oraa/Reuters; Leonhard Foeger, via Reuters

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela was brought to New York with his wife over the weekend to face criminal charges.

Charlie Savage, who covers national security and legal policy, discusses the legality of Mr. Maduro’s capture and whether the operation could undermine the legal case against him.

Guest: Charlie Savage, who covers national security and legal policy for The New York Times.

Background reading:

• Can the United States legally “run” Venezuela after Mr. Maduro’s capture? Here’s what to know.
• The U.S. indictment of Mr. Maduro cites cocaine smuggling. Venezuela’s role in the trade is believed to be modest.

Photo: The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.