The Daily

The Real Meaning of Chesa Boudin’s Recall

Jun 10, 2022

Astead W. Herndon, a national political reporter for The New York Times, dives into the implications of Chesa Boudin's recall in San Francisco. He discusses how this reflects broader challenges for progressive prosecutors in reshaping criminal justice amidst rising crime fears. The conversation highlights the political backlash against reform efforts, questioning the future of such initiatives within the Democratic Party. Astead also touches on the complex relationship between public safety perceptions and progressive policies in today's political landscape.

27:01

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Episode guests

Astead W. Herndon

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Progressive Prosecutors and the Recall Debate

11min

Political Shifts and the Complexity of Crime Reform

3min

Boudin's Recall and Progressive Reform

8min

The Political Implications of a Recall

2min

Testimonies Unveiling the Truth Behind the Capitol Attack

2min

The January 6th Betrayal: An Attempted Coup

2min

This episode contains strong language.

This week, voters in San Francisco ousted Chesa Boudin, their progressive district attorney. The move was seen as a rejection of a class of prosecutors who are determined to overhaul the criminal justice system.

But what happened to Mr. Boudin can be seen as more the exception than the rule.

Guest: Astead W. Herndon, a national political reporter for The New York Times.

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Background reading:

By ousting Mr. Boudin, voters in San Francisco put an end to one of the United States’ most pioneering experiments in criminal justice overhaul.
The progressive backlash in California has sent a signal about the potency of law and order as a political message in 2022.

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