Political Breakdown

Congressman George Whitesides has been warning about catastrophic wildfires in California even before he was elected to one of the most competitive House districts in the country in November. Now, the freshman lawmaker and former aerospace executive represents an area of northern Los Angeles grappling with a new wildfire that ignited on Wednesday. Whitesides joins Marisa and Scott to talk about the Hughes Fire, policies to prevent "megafires" and President Trump's executive actions on immigration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County have spurred an outpour of volunteers and donations. Many of those relief efforts are coordinated by California Volunteers, the agency overseeing service corps in the state. Marisa and Scott are joined by Josh Fryday, California’s Chief Service Officer and head of California Volunteers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that President Donald Trump is back in the White House, San Francisco is already joining legal efforts to fight policy changes, including a federal lawsuit to stop Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship. Scott and Marisa are joined by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu to discuss priorities in challenging Trump in court and plans to defend the city's values. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump took the oath of office today in the Capitol, ushering in a new era in Washington, D.C. and the country. In a break from tradition, Trump used his inaugural address to attack his predecessor, crow about his electoral victory, preview the policies he intends to implement and declare a new “golden age of America.” Marisa and Scott are joined by Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and co-host of the podcast "Strict Scrutiny," to talk about the legal limitations of Trump's promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate confirmation hearings for Trump’s cabinet nominees took center stage in Washington D.C. this week. The Democrats tried to derail candidates, and the hearings tested G.O.P. unity. Concerns circulated around national security considerations to reinvigorating the economy and protecting environment, indicating that for these picks, and the nation, the stakes are high. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg discusses this week’s highlights on Capitol Hill, and explores what we can expect going forward with Zack Beauchamp. He’s a senior correspondent at Vox, covering challenges to democracy in the United States and abroad, and right-wing populism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most controversial cabinet nominations is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services. He’s President-elect Trump's pick to be the country’s top health official. RFK is armed with his 'Make America Healthy Again' platform and Trump's promise to let him 'go wild.' So, what will that look like on the ground? RFK has controversial views on vaccines, fluoride, and food regulation. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Dr. Céline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and CBS News medical contributor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have finally agreed to a ceasefire deal, putting an end to the deadly war in Gaza. President Biden outlined the deal in an address to the United States this morning. He said, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal. And I’m deeply satisfied. This day has finally come for the sake of the people of Israel and for the sake of the people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.” Qatar announced the breakthrough following weeks of bumpy negotiations to end 15 months of devastating conflict. According to the health ministry in Gaza 46,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas’s deadly on October 7th, 2023. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Omar Dajani, he’s an International Law professor with the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when Medi-Cal, a lifeline for 2 in 5 Californians, faces potential cuts? The state’s health insurance program is vital for children, low-income families, and seniors. But with Trump back in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress, sweeping cuts are on the table. We’ll explore the stakes for Californians, look at how the state might respond and discuss how changes could ripple out into the larger community. On Political Breakdown, KQED's Leslie McClurg is joined by Anthony Wright, executive director Families USA, a consumer health advocacy organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're airing an episode of our sister podcast, The Bay. The Bay's host Ericka Cruz Guevarra sat down with Andrea Sorce, Vallejo's newest mayor. Sorce is the chair of the city's Surveillance Advisory Board and co-founder of the ACLU’s Solano County chapter. She and Ericka discuss plans for the beleaguered Vallejo Police Department, dealing with the city's housing and homelessness and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden was quick to visit Southern California this week to pledge federal assistance during the devastating wildfires. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the president for not playing political games — a not-so-subtle comparison to President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism directed at California during the crisis. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the politics of the Los Angeles wildfires. Then, they're joined by KQED's Sydney Johnson to talk about San Francisco's new Mayor Daniel Lurie taking the baton from London Breed with promises to prioritize public safety. And in Oakland, Barbara Lee says she's running for mayor in the city's special election in April. The veteran lawmaker says she wants to use her rolodex and experience to help right the ship in Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that could determine the future of TikTok. The expedited arguments come just nine days before the video sharing app is set to be banned under a bipartisan law passed by Congress last year calling for TikTok to either be sold to a non-Chinese company or be blocked in the U.S. Marisa and Scott are joined by Wall Street Journal reporter Stu Woo to talk about the legal case and the politics at play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The start of a second Trump term brings with it new — and old — challenges for the media. Trump has threatened to prosecute reporters and media outlets, has used his regulatory power to punish companies whose coverage he doesn't like and has called reporters the enemy of the people. The rise of social media has also helped usher in a new era in media more broadly, marked by a fragmented environment and a rise in right wing outlets. Politico's Ian Ward joins Scott and Marisa are joined by Politico's Ian ward to talk about what this means for the next few years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For nearly 30 years in Congress, Oakland Democrat Barbara lee was a leading voice for military restraint, civil rights and HIV/AIDS funding. After losing a bid for the U.S. Senate, Lee has left Congress, but she's being urged by some to run for mayor of Oakland. Lee joins Scott and Marisa in studio to talk about her trailblazing past and possible future in politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

South Bay Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren was in the nation’s capitol four years ago as a violent mob stormed the building to stop certification of the 2020 election results. And she was back there again today, as a peaceful transition of power played out. Marisa and Scott are joined by Lofgren, who was a member of the congressional committee that investigated the January 6th attack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re revisiting an interview with California's newest U.S. senator. Senator Adam Schiff built his reputation in Washington as President-elect Donald Trump’s chief nemesis, playing a leading role in prosecuting the first impeachment of Trump. Schiff joined Scott and Marisa back in February to talk about his support for Israel, his evolution from a tough-on-crime Democrat to now embracing reform and what he wants to do if elected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re revisiting an interview with San Francisco's next mayor. Daniel Lurie will be the city’s first leader in over a century with no previous elected government experience. Lurie made a lot of promises on his way to an impressive victory over the incumbent, Mayor London Breed. From homelessness to public safety, housing and the economy, Lurie will have his hands full when he takes office in January. Scott and Marisa are joined in studio by Lurie to discuss his agenda, his mandate and how he’ll keep those promises even as the city faces a budget deficit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our last episodes of 2024, we’re looking back at some of our favorite shows of the year. From President Biden dropping out as the Democratic nominee, to Vice President Kamala Harris running a hundred-day presidential campaign, to the two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, this was a historic and monumental election year. As we wrap up this whirlwind year, knowing now that we’re heading into a second Trump administration, we're revisiting one of this year’s most pivotal moments when history was being made at the Democratic National Convention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024. Jessica Bartholow has worked behind the scenes at the state Capitol for years. She’s known for her fierce anti-poverty advocacy and budget expertise, as a lobbyist and more recently as chief of staff to East Bay State Senator Nancy Skinner. Bartholow now works for SEIU, the state’s largest and most powerful union. She joins Scott and Guy to talk about the revolving roles she’s played inside and outside of state government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024. President-elect Donald Trump rarely strays from his red tie, white shirt and blue suit, while Vice President Kamala Harris’ uniform consists of tailored suits in a variety of colors. But what does it all mean? What are they saying to voters? And why do fashion choices in politics even matter? Marisa talks about the politics of fashion with Vanessa Friedman, the fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024. Governor Gavin Newsom calls Jason Elliott his “Swiss Army knife.” Elliott is Newsom’s longest serving aide, and he’s had his fingers in just about every major issue, from homelessness and housing to COVID, mental health care and regulating AI. As Elliott prepared to leave the administration, he joined Scott and Marisa to reflect on those many years of service in government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices