Political Breakfast with Denis O’Hayer

The Trump administration is looking to fire two top federal officials with Atlanta ties that would likely have national implications. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss moves to fire a Georgia-born Federal Reserve Governor and the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has dispatched the national guard to help with immigration enforcement as President Donald Trump deploys guardsmen on the streets of Washington, D.C. and we take a look at why a judge is holding the Fulton County Commission in contempt of court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang taps into rumors of former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who recently converted to the Democratic Party, running for Georgia Governor. The 2026 race is crowded and competitive on both sides of the aisle. Plus, Gabe Sterling, one of the faces of Georgia's Secretary of State's office, is stepping down from his position as Chief Operating Officer. Does he have his eyes set on somewhere else? Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, and host Lisa Rayam also commemorate the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which drove and estimated 100 thousand evacuees to Georgia. Many stayed and continued to live in metro Atlanta. The city also honored the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two national figures made stops in Georgia this week to test out political messaging for the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, four major U.S. Senate candidates all gathered in one room. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Rahul Bali and Brendan Rivers discuss the early start to the campaign season. Plus, Fulton County Commissioners defy a judge’s order and could face jail time and a Georgian who rose to national prominence during the 2020 election considers running for Secretary of State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Atlanta is paying final respects to DeKalb County Officer David Rose, who was killed during a shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month. Authorities say Patrick Joseph White targeted the CDC, and blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his mental health issues. He died by suicide after firing roughly 500 shots at CDC buildings. The union representing CDC workers warns about the continued spread of vaccine disinformation, especially by leaders like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. They say the violence is a result of the vilification of government employees, fueled by the Trump Administration. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and host Lisa Rayam break down all of this. Plus, both Tharon and Brian agree: As candidates for Georgia Governor like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr show their allegiance to Trump, one new name could shake things up. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may soon jump into the race. Raffensperger defied Trump in 2020 as the president allegedly conspired to overturn Georgia's election results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been left shaken after a man fired hundreds of bullets at the Atlanta headquarters and killed a police officer. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” WABE Criminal Justice Reporter Chamain Cruz and WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador join hosts Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Brendan Rivers with an update on the investigation and how the shooting is the latest example of increasing threats, and sometimes violence, directed at public officials and institutions. Plus, more candidates jump into Georgia’s 2026 statewide races.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond's long-awaited campaign launch for the Democratic primary in the Georgia Governor's race. One question being addressed: Will a more moderate Thurmond be able to bring Democrats together at a time when what unites most is just hating President Donald Trump? Plus, the legal drama brewing between the gubernatorial candidates. Attorney General Chris Carr sues Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Meantime, Jones nabs a critical endorsement from President Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former President and Georgia native Jimmy Carter created the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency back in 1979. But now President Donald Trump is calling for these two departments, among others, to be dismantled. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at how debates over the shape of the federal government during Carter’s time can shed light on what’s happening today. Plus, a look at bathroom parity at the State Capitol, off-schedule redistricting appears to be off the table for Georgia Republicans, an update on drama over appointments to the Fulton County Board of Elections and census data suggests that Metro Atlanta’s population boom may be slowing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's official: Derek Dooley is the latest Republican to jump into the race to eventually challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The former University of Tennessee football coach joined the GOP primary and announced his campaign in a video that honored his late father, the legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam agree: there's power in the Dooley name. But the endorsements are also rolling in for U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. Plus, Republican Janelle King sits on the State Election Board. Her husband, Kelvin King, is running for Secretary of State. Both are part of the Black Voices for Trump Coalition and have been critical of the current office and its handling of Georgia's elections. But King says she won’t surrender her position just because her husband is running, citing there’s no legal obligation for her to do so. If he wins, “that’s a different discussion,” she said.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week there was speculation that U.S. Rep. Mike Collins was going to jump into the Georgia Senate race for the Republican nomination. The Trump ally made it official on Monday, and set the stage for an even more competitive primary. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to discuss this on this week's live edition of Political Breakfast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association agreed to install an exhibit about the park's history, including Ku Klux Klan cross-burnings. Construction for the new exhibit is underway, but the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is suing to stop it. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how the Confederate group is using a state law to challenge the planned exhibit, which aims to tell a broader story about Stone Mountain. Plus, we take a look at a new committee reviewing Georgia election laws and catch up on the investigation into a lending firm whose founder is a big donor in Georgia Republican politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about the Republicans who are "hinting" about jumping into two key Georgia races: The race for Governor and a U.S. Senate seat. It's all talk at this point for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins. But why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Political Breakfast, the team talks about an ethics complaint filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr against his GOP opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, after Jones loaned his own campaign ten million dollars. The conversation took place just hours before the State Ethics Commission rejected Carr's complaint based on the fact there was not enough cause to investigate. Then, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam sort through the importance of the "very sleepy" Public Service Commission Democratic runoff race that was settled last week and what it means for Georgia in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariffs have become a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term, but the on-again, off-again taxes on imports have led to uncertainty in the economy. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Business Reporter Marlon Hyde about Trump’s trade policies and how they’re impacting Georgia businesses and consumers. Plus, a conversation with Lt. Governor Burt Jones, who has announced that he’s running for governor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is talking tough on the campaign trail. Recently in Savannah, he called out the Trump administration for its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Ossoff also lashed out at Trump for his so-called 'big, beautiful bill.' Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to dissect all this. Plus, prominent Georgia Republican Brant Frost IV is apologizing for his $140M Ponzi scheme, and a federal judge ordered his assets frozen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Georgia's Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones wants in on the 2026 gubernatorial race. Jones kicked-off his campaign for Georgia Governor in grand style and to the tune of 10 million dollars. Jones loaned himself the money and made a pretty bold statement in doing so. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson discuss this strategic move along with host Lisa Rayam. The team also discusses how money is paramount overall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congress has narrowly approved President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, with most Republicans voting in favor and every Democrat opposed. Under the law, which includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, about 300,000 Georgians could lose health coverage, tax incentives for clean energy will be cut and states like Georgia may end up having to shoulder more of the costs associated with food stamps. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador and WABE Digital Editor MeiMei Xu about how Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect Georgia now that it’s law.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast: Campaign fundraising is ramping-up. Strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam tackle the latest numbers in the 2026 Georgia Governor's race. On the Democratic side, Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and state Senator Jason Esteves have surpassed the 1 million mark over roughly 2 months since both entered the race. For the GOP: Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has loaned himself 10 million dollars while Republican Attorney General Chris Carr has raised more than 3-point-5 million since annoucing his bid in November. Do these numbers translate into the most competitive candidates? Plus, low voter turnout in the Democratic runoff for the Georgia Public Service Commission race. Brian and Tharon share why YOU should care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump just signed his so-called 'big, beautiful' massive tax and spending bill over the July 4th holiday weekend. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to the latest. Plus, Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wrote on X on Sunday that his granddaughters are safe after attending a summer camp in Central Texas that flooded over the weekend -- but one of their cousins has died.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s special Independence Day encore episode of “Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast,” politics reporter Sam Gringlas takes listeners on a summer road trip to a pair of towns that helped shape former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Georgia’s own Jimmy Carter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, Republicans are mostly a united front and in support of President Donald Trump's so-called 'big, beautiful' massive tax and spending bill. Georgia Democrats say there's nothing beautiful about it, claming the bill will strip away people's healthcare and increase poverty while creating tax breaks for the rich. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to the latest as lawmakers debate the bill in the U.S. House. Trump says he wants to sign the bill by the July 4th holiday. It's sweeping tax cuts are estimated to add trillions more to the national debt. It also boosts spending on border security and defense, makes massive cuts to programs like Medicaid and shifts more responsibility for food assistance to the states. It would also slash clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act, that helped propel solar and electric vehicle manufacturing in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast, we react to news from the AJC that Geoff Duncan may be running in the 2026 Georgia Governor's race as a Democrat. Duncan, now an official outcast after Georgia GOP leaders expelled him from the party, has long expressed frustration with President Donald Trump and those who support his administration. But strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam wonder: Is the party willing to accept him? Or has Duncan fallen off the radar? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive solar panel recycling facility called Solarcycle is coming soon to Cedartown, a small community in Northwest Georgia near the Alabama border. Solarcycle got a $64 million tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act to build a second facility that will make solar panel glass, but according to the company, the groundbreaking is on hold as Congress considers gutting the clean energy tax credits in the new federal budget. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at what this could mean for Cedartown and Georgia’s flourishing industries making electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels. Plus, how the conflict between Israel and Iran is exposing divisions among Georgia Republicans and a look at the fall of the in-person campaign launch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang addresses the latest in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Israel and Iran continued to trade attacks over the weekend, with U.S. officials saying both have violated a recent cease fire. U.S. bombs destroyed three nuclear sites in Iran, according to President Donald Trump. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam bring it home to Georgia -- where one of Trump's most fierce supporters, GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the move. Plus, supporters of Georgia Republican Attorney General Chris Carr released an attack ad against his potential opponent in the 2026 gubernatorial race: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal drew national attention in 2016 when he vetoed a religious liberty bill that opponents said would lead to discrimination against LGBTQ people. When a similar measure passed again this year, Governor Brian Kemp quickly signed it into law. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what’s changed over the past decade with WABE's Patrick Saunders, who has been leading WABE’s annual Beyond Pride series, which takes a close look at LGBTQ issues in Georgia. Plus, Georgia Republicans and Democrats are charting the future of their parties as state lawmakers grapple with a heated political climate following the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Breakfast went live this week, as Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to thousands flooding the streets of Atlanta for 'No Kings' protests, part of broader demonstrations across the nation. They happened the same day as a military parade in Washington for the Army's 250th Anniversary -- which also coincided with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans have slammed the roughly $45 million dollar cost of the parade. Plus, primary elections for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are today. The PSC regulates utilities, including Georgia Power rate increases and how the company generates electricity. Could Democrats gain control? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data centers are growing faster in Atlanta than anywhere else in the country. That rapid growth has left communities grappling with how these new developments will impact the environment and their neighborhoods. WABE has been taking a closer look at data centers as part of our series, “Server South.” On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali are joined by WABE and Grist Climate Reporter Emily Jones and WABE Environment Reporter Marisa Mecke to talk about data centers’ massive demand for power and water and some possible solutions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson along with host Lisa Rayam, respond to the immigration crackdown taking place in Los Angeles. What message is it really sending to America? Plus, they analze an immigration raid that took place at home, inside a busy Marietta nail salon. A dozen undocumented workers were arrested. The PB team talks about how fear among the undocumented and even the documented is mounting. Tharon, Brian and Lisa also address claims the Trump Administration has created a poisonous atmosphere that pitts "us against them". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson, Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss a hodge-podge of political news. What do they make of the so called breakup between Elon Musk and President Trump? Plus, how Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger finds himself in a precarious situation after the GOP state Covention. Plus, political fatigue--what is it exactly and what can we ALL do about it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data centers are growing faster in Atlanta than anywhere else in the country. That rapid growth has left communities grappling with how these new developments will impact the environment and their neighborhoods.This week, “Plugged In” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali are joined by WABE Business Reporter Marlon Hyde and WABE Southside Reporter DorMiya Vance for the first of two episodes exploring WABE’s series, Server South.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the Political Breakfast team was pleased to record the podcast in front of a live studio audience, alongside legends from Sesame Street and the Muppet Show at Atlanta's own Center for Puppetry Arts! It's home to more than 5 thousand puppets and artifacts. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to answer questions from some of our loyal listeners. We discuss the most pertinent news from Washington that impacts our Georgia audience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) incumbents are on the ballot this year after a lengthy legal battle and their challengers are taking aim at the current commission’s performance. Voting in the primary is already underway. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE and Grist climate reporter Emily Jones about the PSC and some of the challenges the statewide body is grappling with, like the influx of data centers, increasing energy costs and climate change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's second serving of Political Breakfast, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is officially running to replace Governor Brian Kemp. But are Dems pleased? Bottoms tells WABE that we are "facing chaos and uncertainty and anxiety" based on the policies that are coming out of Washington and "Georgians want and need a fighter.”Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam also discuss the case of a north Georgia college student, 19-year-old Ximena Arias-Cristobal -- who is undocumented. Her life changed recently, after she was pulled over by a Dalton police officer for allegedly making an illegal turn. She was arrested, turned over to ICE and detained for more than two weeks. Turns out, dash cam video shows the officer stopped the wrong driver. The officer has resigned. But that hasn't stopped the community backlash. And some Republicans in deep-red Georgia are taking a stand against the Trump Administration's immigration crackdowns. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's live edition of Political Breakfast just after the Memorial Day holiday, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss the 2026 U.S. Senate race against incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Governor Brian Kemp decided not to run. He and President Donald Trump met recently in Washington earlier this month to mull-over who will face Ossoff. In the race so far: U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, from Georgia's coast, who was the first major Republican candidate to declare. Then came state Insurance Commissioner John King. Marjorie Taylor Greene also declined to challenge Ossoff.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse and mother, was about nine weeks pregnant in February when doctors declared her brain dead after she suffered a medical emergency. Smith’s family says doctors at Emory University Hospital have been keeping her on life support because she is pregnant, citing Georgia’s restrictive abortion law. In this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a closer look at the case and its possible implications. Plus, a former Atlanta mayor says she’s running for governor and some Republicans say they want to eliminate the state income tax.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historic Medicaid cuts are advancing in Washington under President Donald Trump, as nearly 2 million low-income Georgians depend on the program for health insurance. That includes Georgians with disabilities and seniors, as Medicaid pays for their daily help with basic needs. The proposed federal cuts are all part of Trump's attempts to slash government spending. But Republican strategist Brian Robinson says on this week's Political Breakfast, GOP lawmakers know that would hurt some of our most vulnerable, including the base of their own party. Robinson, host Lisa Rayam, and the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long to discuss the impact in Georgia, and tough decisions that come with historic pullbacks of federal support. Long is filling-in this week for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks about the life of Adriana Smith, her unborn child and a Georgia law that appears to be holding her grieving family hostage. Adriana is brain dead, but has been kept on life support since February because she's pregnant. Her family says it's time for Adriana to rest in peace -- peace that's entangled in a restrictive law that bans most abortions after six weeks. It's an issue people are talking about, including host, Lisa Rayam, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long, who is sitting-in for Tharon Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, judges heard appeals in two major Georgia voting cases. One panel is considering whether conservative group True the Vote illegally intimidated voters when they helped file tens of thousands of voter challenges while another is reviewing Georgia’s political maps in the ongoing fight over redistricting. In this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what’s at stake for Georgia elections in these long-running federal court cases, which could have national implications. Plus, a messy Republican primary in Georgia for the U.S. Senate is now underway and Governor Brian Kemp has finished vetoing and signing bills from this year’s legislative session into law, including one that could allow President Donald Trump to recover millions of dollars in legal costs from taxpayers in the Georgia election interference case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chair of the Georgia Republican Party Josh McKoon joins this week's Political Breakfast. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam have some questions about McKoon managing party unity. They ask McKoon if he agrees with everything that President Donald Trump has been ordering in Washington, and what he thinks about Republicans who refuse to come together under Trump, and support more MAGA-aligned candidates: AKA, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan. Earlier this week, the PB team spoke with the new Georgia Democratic Chair, Charlie Bailey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks to the newly-elected Georgia Chair of the Democratic Party Charlie Bailey. Bailey talks about the bread and butter issues that are key to his party winning in 2026. In addition, he rebuffs the notion that there are major fractures within the Democratic Party, and Bailey addresses how his main mission is to rebuild trust. Join strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam for this special edition of Political Breakfast. Tune back in on Thursday to hear Josh McKoon, Georgia's GOP Chair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced that he will not run for Senate. Of all the states President Donald Trump won in the 2024 election, only Georgia has a Democratic senator defending their seat. Republicans had seen Kemp as the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Jon Ossoff. On this week's episode, hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what the two-term governor's decision to opt out of the race signals about Kemp's political future, the fight for control of the Senate and the status of the body itself. Plus, we take you inside the Georgia Democrats' election for new leadership ahead of the midterms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's second edition of Political Breakfast, the gang talks about the plight of federal student loan borrowers who are now expected to start paying them back. That's after being given a reprieve during the Biden Administration. Plus, Georgia Democrats picked former two-time statewide candidate and Atlanta attorney Charlie Bailey to head the party. He replaces Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss what this means for 2026 races. And a new poll shows Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens with high approval ratings going into his reelection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson join Morning Edition, live, to talk about Governor Brian Kemp's decision not to run for U.S. Senate. The speculation suddenly ended Monday, when the second-term Georgia Governor took to social media, writing: "Being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family." So then, who is the right person to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who IS running for re-election? Both Brian and Tharon share their theories with host Lisa Rayam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.