Political Breakdown

Jan 31 2025 566 ep. 30 mins 617

Political Breakdown Podcast artwork

Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the day in politics with a California perspective. Featuring interviews with reporters and other insiders involved in the craft of politics—including elected officials, candidates, pollsters, campaign managers, fundraisers, and other political players—Political Breakdown pulls back the curtain to offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics works today.

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Democrats Delay Funding to Trump-proof California

Jan 31 2025 23 mins

Governor Gavin Newsom had called on the state legislature to add millions of dollars to the state budget for lawsuits against President Trump. But this week, that plan hit a snag in Sacramento. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss why Assembly Democrats decided to delay votes on this funding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump's Campaign Against Trans People

Jan 30 2025 31 mins

President Donald Trump made demonizing transgender people a core tenet of his political pitch, and his administration has wasted no time enacting a series of executive actions to strip trans people of their rights. Marisa and Scott talk to Imani Rupert-Gordon, the president of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, about how advocates are fighting back. Learn more about your ad ch

Senator Padilla Sounds the Alarm on FBI Nominee Kash Patel

Jan 29 2025 26 mins

President Trump's nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI has Democrats and even some Republicans sounding the alarm. Patel has promoted conspiracy theories including false claims about stolen elections and is promising to shut down the FBI headquarters in Washington. Scott and Marisa talk with Senator Alex Padilla ahead of tomorrow's Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for P

The Future of Home Insurance Following The LA Fires

Jan 28 2025 26 mins

As thousands of Los Angeles residents stare down the long road to recovery, questions remain about how the devastating Los Angeles wildfires will impact California’s already struggling insurance market. Marisa and Scott are joined by KQED science reporter Danielle Venton to discuss what’s next for your home insurance and what the state can do to guard against future disasters.

Immigration Raids, Rhetoric and Reality

Jan 27 2025 27 mins

Since President Donald Trump took office, executive orders on immigration and highly publicized raids have grabbed headlines. As immigrant communities prepare for what’s coming, advocacy groups offer “know your rights” workshops and open rapid response hotlines. Scott and Marisa are joined by KQED senior editor for immigration Tyche Hendricks to dig into what’s happening on

Week One And It’s Already California Versus Trump

Jan 24 2025 25 mins

President Donald Trump visits Los Angeles today to view the devastation of the recent wildfires, leaving Governor Gavin Newsom hanging as Trump ties federal disaster funding to water policy changes and voter IDs. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss whether this is just talk or if aid to California will really be held hostage to politics. Then, they're joined by San Francisco Chronicle

Congressman Whitesides On The Latest Wildfires In His District

Jan 23 2025 32 mins

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

The L.A. Wildfire Relief Efforts

Jan 22 2025 23 mins

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 megaph

SF Takes On Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Ban

Jan 21 2025 27 mins

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 m

Trump vs. The Law

Jan 20 2025 28 mins

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 Murr