

Political Breakdown
KQED
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.
Episodes
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Jan 28, 2026 • 29min
A Moment of Reckoning for Trump’s Deportation Strategy
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.
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Jan 23, 2026 • 29min
Drama in Davos
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.
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Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 3min
Highs and Lows of SF Mayor Lurie’s First Year in Office
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.
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Jan 21, 2026 • 28min
A Lawsuit for Every Week
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.
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Jan 17, 2026 • 30min
California Governor's Race Takes Shape as Legal Battles with Trump Intensify
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.
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Jan 16, 2026 • 32min
The Billionaire Tax Clash
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.
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Jan 14, 2026 • 30min
San Francisco DA Weighs in on Minneapolis ICE Shooting
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.
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Jan 10, 2026 • 28min
Newsom's Surprise Shake-Up at California’s Education Department
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.
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Jan 9, 2026 • 32min
Newsom Gears Up for his Final Year as Governor
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.
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Jan 7, 2026 • 32min
Trump's Rare Supreme Court Defeat
The U.S. Supreme Court recently dealt a major loss to President Donald Trump when it ordered him to return control of the Illinois National Guard to the state’s governor. The ruling prompted Trump to relinquish control of California’s and Oregon’s National Guard troops as well.
The decision capped a complicated legal fight that began in June, when Trump sent troops into Los Angeles to respond to immigration raid protests. Marisa unpacks the court's decision with Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.
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