Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Inside California City’s Fight Over a New ICE Detention Center Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

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

A Moment of Reckoning for Trump’s Deportation Strategy Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

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

Drama in Davos Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

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

Highs and Lows of SF Mayor Lurie’s First Year in Office Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

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

A Lawsuit for Every Week Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

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

California Governor's Race Takes Shape as Legal Battles with Trump Intensify Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

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

The Billionaire Tax Clash Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

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

San Francisco DA Weighs in on Minneapolis ICE Shooting Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

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

Newsom's Surprise Shake-Up at California’s Education Department Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

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

Newsom Gears Up for his Final Year as Governor Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

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