Political Breakdown

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

Join Jill Habig, founder of the Public Rights Project and civil rights attorney, as she discusses how the Trump administration uses federal funds and National Guard deployments to pressure local governments. Habig reveals her organization's mission to support cities against these tactics. She shares insights on collaborating with groups like the ACLU, the challenges faced by local officials, and the legal strategies employed to protect communities. With a focus on nonpartisan efforts, she highlights the growing resilience among cities in the face of federal overreach.

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

Guy Marzorati, a savvy political commentator from San Jose, shares insights on California's gubernatorial race, highlighting Tom Steyer's debut at a pivotal forum. The discussion dives into Steyer's progressive pitch, his critiques of Sacramento, and the challenges he faces. Marzorati also addresses the dynamic of insider versus outsider candidates and the implications for housing policy under Mayor Daniel Lurie in San Francisco. The hosts dissect homelessness strategies and analyze recent polling that reveals a crowded landscape of contenders.

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

Zack Beauchamp, a senior correspondent at Vox, dives into the escalating tensions within the conservative movement. He discusses the fractured landscape post-Trump and the fallout from Tucker Carlson's interview with Nick Fuentes, highlighting the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in the right. Beauchamp also examines the Heritage Foundation's internal strife under Kevin Roberts and how populist grievances, like the Epstein files, shape Republican strategies. Insightful contrasts between Jewish voters and Christian Zionists add depth to the conversation.

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