Political Breakdown

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 to talk about the Hughes Fire, policies to prevent "megafires" and President Trump's executive actions on immigration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Murray, a law professor at New York University and co-host of the podcast "Strict Scrutiny," to talk about the legal limitations of Trump's promises. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate confirmation hearings for Trump’s cabinet nominees took center stage in Washington D.C. this week. The Democrats tried to derail candidates, and the hearings tested G.O.P. unity. Concerns circulated around national security considerations to reinvigorating the economy and protecting environment, indicating that for these picks, and the nation, the stakes are high. On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg discusses this week’s highlights on Capitol Hill, and explores what we can expect going forward with Zack Beauchamp. He’s a senior correspondent at Vox, covering challenges to democracy in the United States and abroad, and right-wing populism.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most controversial cabinet nominations is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of the US Department of Health and Human Services.He’s President-elect Trump's pick to be the country’s top health official. RFK is armed with his 'Make America Healthy Again' platform and Trump's promise to let him 'go wild.' So, what will that look like on the ground? RFK has controversial views on vaccines, fluoride, and food regulation.On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Dr. Céline Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and CBS News medical contributor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have finally agreed to a ceasefire deal, putting an end to the deadly war in Gaza.President Biden outlined the deal in an address to the United States this morning. He said, “There was no other way for this war to end than with a hostage deal. And I’m deeply satisfied. This day has finally come for the sake of the people of Israel and for the sake of the people in Gaza who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.”Qatar announced the breakthrough following weeks of bumpy negotiations to end 15 months of devastating conflict. According to the health ministry in Gaza 46,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since Hamas’s deadly on October 7th, 2023.On this episode of Political Breakdown, host Lesley McClurg speaks with Omar Dajani, he’s an International Law professor with the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when Medi-Cal, a lifeline for 2 in 5 Californians, faces potential cuts?The state’s health insurance program is vital for children, low-income families, and seniors. But with Trump back in the White House and a Republican-controlled Congress, sweeping cuts are on the table. We’ll explore the stakes for Californians, look at how the state might respond  and discuss how changes could ripple out into the larger community. On Political Breakdown, KQED's Leslie McClurg is joined by Anthony Wright, executive director Families USA, a consumer health advocacy organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining the discussion is Andrea Sorce, Vallejo's new mayor and an advocate for police reform, who also co-founded the ACLU’s Solano County chapter. She reveals her ambitious vision for overhauling the Vallejo Police Department amidst ongoing community distrust. Sorce dives into the city’s housing crisis, advocating for diverse options to avoid displacing long-time residents. She highlights the urgent need for compassionate solutions to homelessness, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in creating safer and more inclusive neighborhoods.

President Joe Biden was quick to visit Southern California this week to pledge federal assistance during the devastating wildfires. Governor Gavin Newsom praised the president for not playing political games — a not-so-subtle comparison to President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism directed at California during the crisis. Scott, Marisa and Guy discuss the politics of the Los Angeles wildfires. Then, they're joined by KQED's Sydney Johnson to talk about San Francisco's new Mayor Daniel Lurie taking the baton from London Breed with promises to prioritize public safety. And in Oakland, Barbara Lee says she's running for mayor in the city's special election in April. The veteran lawmaker says she wants to use her rolodex and experience to help right the ship in Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices