Political Breakdown

As tens of thousands of visitors arrive in the Bay Area for the Super Bowl, some of the excitement is being tempered by concerns over immigration enforcement, despite federal officials and the National Football League insisting there are no planned operations. Marisa and Guy are joined by The New York Times reporter Sheera Frenkel to examine the role the Department of Homeland Security will play during the event and how local leaders and businesses are preparing. Then, they turn to the California governor's race, breaking down the latest developments including the first televised debate and newly released campaign finance reports. Check out ⁠⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host who previously served as a political advisor to British Prime Minister David Cameron, sat down with Marisa and Scott to discuss his vision for California if elected governor. Hilton argues the state has been broken by one-party Democratic rule and is attempting to become the first Republican to win statewide office in 20 years. The conversation covers his upbringing in the U.K. as the son of Hungarian immigrants, his business and political background and how he would approach key gubernatorial challenges, from balancing the budget, reforming the education system, addressing housing and homelessness and improving the state's current adversarial relationship with the Trump administration. This interview is part of a series of conversations with the 2026 gubernatorial candidates for California. The primary election is June 2. Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a rare moment of political alignment, President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom are both calling for restrictions on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, arguing they drive up housing prices and put individual homebuyers at a severe disadvantage.  As the shortage of affordable housing pushes the American Dream further out of reach, Scott and Marisa are joined by The New York Times Magazine contributing writer Francesca Mari to take a closer look at the role Wall Street investors play in rising housing costs and how much power state and federal governments actually have to reign them in.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more than half a dozen Democrats already running for governor, San José Mayor Matt Mahan added his name to the field this week. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss whether the centrist Silicon Valley Democrat and outspoken critic of Gov. Gavin Newsom's social media tactics can break through an already competitive race. They also dig into an effort in Sacramento to make it easier for residents to sue U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who use excessive force. Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A city in California's Mojave Desert is at the center of a growing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement controversy. A privately-owned former prison has been revived by ICE and is poised to become the largest immigration detention facility on the West Coast. Since opening in August, the facility has sparked ongoing protests and drawn serious allegations of neglect and inadequate medical care, along with questions about whether it's operating legally.  Marisa and Scott are joined by KQED's senior immigration editor Tyche Hendricks to break down the allegations and legal concerns surrounding the facility. Then, they talk to California City Marquette Hawkins about his stance on the detention facility and what it's like leading a city at the center of a national debate.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is facing intense political and legal backlash after a second American citizen was fatally shot by federal immigration agents during an operation in Minneapolis over the weekend. The White House has dispatched border czar Tom Homan to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota, supplanting Border Control Commander Gregory Bovino and signaling a possible shift in the administration's deportation strategy. Marisa and Scott are joined by Politico's national security reporter Eric Bazail-Eimil to assess whether the president's deportation policies have reached an inflection point.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom grabbed headlines at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland this week, after accusing the Trump administration of blocking his speaking engagement at an official U.S. venue. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the California governor's ongoing feud with the president. Then, they're joined by KQED's Sydney Johnson to reflect on San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie's live onstage interview at KQED one year into his term.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie just marked his first year in office, and he's enjoying high approval ratings and declining crime rates. He joined Marisa and Scott onstage live at KQED to reflect on his first year, what he's learned, and how he plans to take on the challenges ahead. Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since President Trump took office last year, California has averaged roughly one lawsuit per week against the administration. Attorney General Rob Bonta has led the fight, from defending healthcare, pushing back on immigration initiatives and unfreezing billions in state funding. He recently announced he will not run for governor, instead prioritizing California's legal offensive by running for reelection. He joins Scott and Marisa in studio to discuss the past year and what might lie ahead.  Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The governor's race came into sharper focus this week after Attorney General Rob Bonta announced he would not jump into the race. Meanwhile, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan indicated he is seriously considering entering the race that polls show remains wide open. Scott, Marisa and Guy talk about how the governor's contest is shaping up. Then, they discuss California's ongoing legal battles with the Trump administration over women's health care and immigration enforcement. Gov. Gavin Newsom this week refused to extradite a Sonoma County doctor charged by Louisiana officials with providing abortion medication to a resident of that state. Plus, a federal judge in Los Angeles considers the Trump administration's challenge to California's new law prohibiting most police officers, including ICE agents, from wearing masks on duty. Check out ⁠⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A political fight is already brewing over a proposed tax on California billionaires. Democrats are divided, with Gov. Newsom as one of the most vocal opponents trying to broker an alternative that would keep the initiative off the November ballot. Some Silicon Valley tech moguls are also threatening to leave the state to avoid the tax.  The ballot measure is being pushed by SEIU-UHW, which represents about 120,000 healthcare workers in California. Marisa and Scott talk to the labor union's chief of staff Suzanne Jimenez and then dig into the politics with Politico's senior political reporter Melanie Mason. Check out ⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week's fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent renewed scrutiny nationwide and prompted calls for accountability.  In San Francisco, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has said she wouldn't hesitate to bring charges against federal agents who use excessive force. She joins Scott and Marisa in studio to discuss how she's approaching the legal challenges presented by President Trump's immigration crackdown.  Check out ⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his final State of the State address, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed to restructure the California Department of Education by shifting power away from the state superintendent and into the hands of the next governor. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico's Dustin Gardiner to discuss how the announcement blindsided the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.  Then, they talk about the legacy of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died during emergency surgery this week. LaMalfa was a Republican who represented Northern California in Congress for more than a decade and his death leaves Republicans with an even tighter majority in the House of Representatives. Plus, tensions rise between Democratic state officials and the Trump administration following the deadly shooting of a woman by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. Days later,  U.S. border patrol agents shot two people in Portland. Check out ⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State address today, defending his record in office and contrasting California's successes to what he called President Trump's "carnival of chaos."  Marisa and Guy hear how the address and budget priorities landed with two lawmakers, Santa Cruz Democratic Sen. John Laird and Fresno Republican Asm. David Tangipa.  Check out ⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Supreme Court recently dealt a major loss to President Donald Trump when it ordered him to return control of the Illinois National Guard to the state's governor. The ruling prompted Trump to relinquish control of California's and Oregon's National Guard troops as well.  The decision capped a complicated legal fight that began in June, when Trump sent troops into Los Angeles to respond to immigration raid protests. Marisa unpacks the court's decision with Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the holidays, we're rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. Cal Calamia is a nonbinary transmasculine runner and an activist who has successfully pushed to create nonbinary running categories in some of the world's largest marathons. Calamia joins Marisa in studio to dig into the debate over transgender participation in sports.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the holidays, we're rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. In November, Governor Gavin Newsom was at the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Brazil, where he argued Democrats need to reframe climate change mitigation as an affordability issue. Marisa and Scott are joined by Guy to discuss the politics of energy and how the soaring cost of utilities is becoming a political cudgel. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the holidays, we're rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. President Donald Trump this summer set off an unusual mid-decade redistricting scramble after he asked Republican-led states to redraw their congressional districts to give the GOP more seats in Congress. California Democrats responded with their own new map, which voters approved through Proposition 50 in November.  Scott and Marisa discuss the history of gerrymandering with Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey, taking us back to an earlier era when it was a regular part of California's political landscape. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the holidays, we're rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. After Alameda County recalled progressive District Attorney Pamela Price last year, the Board of Supervisors appointed Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson to replace her. Since taking office, Jones Dickson has reversed some of her predecessor's more liberal policies toward prosecutions. She joins Scott in studio to talk about her approach to criminal justice and public safety and the threat of President Trump's troop deployment to Oakland.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year in politics, President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco received new mayors and a redistricting battle reshaped the state's congressional map. Scott and Marisa are joined by the San Francisco Chronicle's senior political writer Joe Garofoli to analyze the year's top political stories. Plus, they look ahead to 2026, when the race of governor of California heats up and competitive midterm elections will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pardon power gives U.S. presidents an unusual and extraordinary tool, one that most former presidents have used sparingly and with an eye on potential political fallout. President Donald Trump, however, has used the power to pardon political allies and supporters, January 6 seditionists and an international drug trafficker. Liz Oyer, who served for three years as a pardon attorney for the Department of Justice, says these remarkable pardons are all part of a larger plan to corrupt the American justice system. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is home to some of the most productive agricultural land in the country, but it could not operate without the hundreds of thousands of farmworkers who harvest the food. Los Angeles Times reporter Brittny Mejia spent three days harvesting mini watermelons and cantaloupes alongside California farmworkers. She joins Scott to discuss the backbreaking work and what she learned from conversations about their lives and growing fears of ICE raids. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With federal health care subsidies set to expire, Democrats are pushing to make next year's midterm elections a referendum on Republicans' approach to health care. Part of their strategy is recruiting doctors to run for office in 2026. Scott and Marisa talk with Guy about this tactic and how it's playing out in two key California congressional races.   Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump is using National Guard troop deployments to pressure cities and counties into following his conservative agenda. But attorney Jill Habig says he is also using the federal pursestrings to bend them to his will. That's why she founded the Oakland-based Public Rights Project to take on the administration, fighting in court on behalf of those cities and counties that have seen their policies challenged, funding cut or even troops deployed to their streets. Habig joins Marisa and Scott in studio to discuss their lawsuits and strategy.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration is cracking down on street homelessness by directing funding away from permanent supportive housing toward short-term programs with work and employment requirements. If the funding cuts go through, it would be a major setback for the Housing First movement, which prioritizes getting people into housing without preconditions. Policy experts also worry about the impact on agencies that recognize transgender people and use harm reduction practices.  However, lawsuits filed by cities, states and non-profit organizations seem to be giving the administration second thoughts. Scott is joined by Erin Baldassari, KQED's senior editor of housing affordability. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first meeting since billionaire and climate activist Tom Steyer joined the race, the top candidates for governor of California participated in a forum hosted by the California State Association of Counties. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the highlights from the forum, which Marisa moderated.  Then, they discuss a major step forward in Mayor Daniel Lurie's plan to jumpstart housing construction in San Francisco.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does femininity look like in the Republican MAGA world? Every presidential administration has its own aesthetic style, and in President Donald Trump's administration, female allies and cabinet members have embraced what's called Mar-a-Lago face. Marisa and Scott are joined by Vox senior correspondent Constance Grady to discuss what the MAGA aesthetic is, where it came from and how it fits in with the traditional role many conservatives say women should play.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since President Trump appointed him as the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency czar, Silicon Valley venture capitalist David Sacks has been in a position to drive policy in both emerging technologies. And according to recent reporting by the New York Times, Sacks has helped formulate policies that benefit him and his tech friends. Scott and Marisa are joined by New York Times reporter Ryan Mac, who was part of the team revealing Sacks' conflicts of interest.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loud disagreements within the conservative movement are spilling out into the open over issues ranging from the Epstein files to anti-semitism on the right. Scott is joined by Vox senior correspondent Zack Beauchamp to discuss what has caused the internal strife at the Heritage Foundation, the influential right-wing think tank that developed Project 2025.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2026 race for governor of California is heating up, with East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell announcing his bid on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last night. Swalwell enters an increasingly crowded race that billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer also jumped into this week. Plus, Attorney General Rob Bonta told KQED that people are urging him to join, leaving the door open to a possible run. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the status of the race as 40% of voters remain undecided.  They also take a look at the contest to fill Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, as San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan becomes the latest candidate joining state Sen. Scott Wiener and Saikat Chakrabarti, the former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Check out ⁠Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office has filed 46 lawsuits this year against the Trump administration, many of them challenging what Bonta considers the president's overreach. Almost a year into Trump's second term, Bonta joins Marisa and Scott in studio to give an update on California's resistance. They also discuss if he's reconsidering a run for governor of California and his campaign spending nearly half a million dollars on legal fees amid a corruption case against the Duong family.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of controversy and delays by the Trump administration, the House of Representatives voted near-unanimously today to release Department of Justice files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Scott and Marisa are joined by U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, who is the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee and helped lead the push to release the files. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following voter approval of Proposition 50 which redraws California's congressional maps, the Department of Justice this week joined a federal lawsuit to block the maps from taking effect. Scott and Guy discuss the suit and which California politicians are launching campaigns in the new congressional districts.  Then, they're joined by KQED's Sydney Johnson to talk about the remarkably short term for San Francisco Supervisor Isabella "Beya" Alcaraz, who resigned last night after just a week of representing the Sunset District. Her resignation comes after a wave of media reports described mice infestations and questionable financial practices at her former business. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom is at the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Brazil while the Trump Administration boycotts the global conference. During the conference, Newsom argued Democrats need to reframe climate change mitigation as an affordability issue. Marisa and Scott are joined by Guy to discuss the politics of energy and how the soaring cost of utilities is becoming a political cudgel.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Representative Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday that she plans to retire after her term ends in 2027. Her announcement comes after spending nearly four decades representing San Francisco in Congress. Pelosi, the first and only woman elected House speaker, will leave her imprint in California politics as a tough yet honorable adversary for Republicans. "When you go on the floor, you welcome the vitality of differences of opinion and debate, and hopefully you can find your common ground," Pelosi told KQED's Political Breakdown in 2023. Marisa, Scott and Guy reflect on Pelosi's legacy, the race to fill her seat and what her retirement means for California Democrats heading into the 2026 gubernatorial race and midterm elections. Watch Political Breakdown's previous live interview with Nancy Pelosi. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the end of an era in San Francisco politics. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she'll retire from Congress after nearly four decades, marking the end of a remarkable career. Marisa and Scott talk with Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The New York Times, about Pelosi's legacy and what her departure means for California's political power in Washington. They also break down Democrats' strong showing in Tuesday's elections and what those results signal heading into the 2026 midterms. Sign up for Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a redistricting measure that could give Democrats as many as five new House seats next year. In Santa Clara County, early returns show Measure A leading with 57% of the vote. The sales tax increase to fund county hospitals amidst federal Medicaid cuts appeared headed for victory. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the results from election night and what these victories mean for Democrats heading into 2026. They also discuss the night's other big wins for Democrats in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The countdown to Election Day is on. Tuesday, Nov. 4 is the last day for Californians to cast their votes on Proposition 50, a measure that would replace current congressional lines drawn by a nonpartisan citizens commission with a map favoring Democrats. Recent polls suggest it's likely to pass, a change that could reshape California's congressional map and potentially help Democrats in their bid to retake the House next year. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the strategy driving Prop. 50 toward the finish line, and the national ripple effects it could have. Plus, they discuss the political fallout from the ongoing government shutdown. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's rare for all eyes to be on an off-year election. This year, however, several state elections have captured national attention — from California's Proposition 50 redistricting measure to governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia, and a closely watched Democratic Senate primary in Maine. Marisa and Scott talk to Erin Covey, editor of Cook Political Report's coverage of U.S. House races. They discuss the key races to watch and what it means for the broader political landscape heading into 2026. Sign up for Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is under pressure to build more homes — fast. In response to the state's housing mandates, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is pushing a major plan to upzone parts of the city's north and west sides, allowing for tens of thousands of new homes. But some residents are concerned that housing changes will do more harm than good. Scott and Marisa talk to Jason Elliott, former housing advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and now president of Versus Solutions, about what's driving the state's housing mandates and how upzoning could reshape San Francisco. Plus, they discuss California's legislation on artificial intelligence and how the government should regulate AI. Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Gavin Newsom says President Donald Trump is laying the groundwork to challenge next month's Proposition 50 special election and undermine future elections, calling the Department of Justice election monitors at California polling places “a preview of things to come.”  He joined Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer in studio to discuss why Prop 50 is about more than redistricting, Trump's decision not to send troops to San Francisco, his controversial stance on trans athletes in sports and why he thinks Democrats are “so damn weak as a party.” Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Alameda County recalled progressive District Attorney Pamela Price last year, the Board of Supervisors appointed Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson to replace her. Since taking office, Jones Dickson has reversed some of her predecessor's more liberal policies toward prosecutions. She joins Scott in studio to talk about her approach to criminal justice and public safety and the threat of President Trump's troop deployment to Oakland.  Check out Political Breakdown's weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices