Politics

KCRW unravels a disruptive White House week. Is the president just stirring outrage? Plus, we discuss Elon Musk’s influence on the foreign aid fight.

from Left, Right & Center

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

Denying gender-affirming care will cost lives, says mom and author

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Army Corps of Engineers released water from two dams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. State officials had no warning, and there seems to be no practical reason why it happened.

Trump executive order led to wasted water in California

The Army Corps of Engineers released water from two dams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. State officials had no warning, and there seems to be no practical reason why it happened.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The staff working for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are mostly inexperienced engineers in their early 20s. They now have direct access to the U.S.

Elon Musk’s DOGE gains access to the Treasury Department

The staff working for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency are mostly inexperienced engineers in their early 20s. They now have direct access to the U.S.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Hundreds gathered in immigrant-dense Santa Ana to protest the Trump administration’s deportation plans after a similar movement closed the 101 freeway in Downtown LA.

‘A Day Without Immigrants’ protests shake up OC and LA

Hundreds gathered in immigrant-dense Santa Ana to protest the Trump administration’s deportation plans after a similar movement closed the 101 freeway in Downtown LA.

from KCRW Features

The Trump administration is seeking to dismantle the world’s largest humanitarian aid program — the U.S. Agency for International Development. What lives are on the line as a result?

What’s the human cost of shutting down USAID?

The Trump administration is seeking to dismantle the world’s largest humanitarian aid program — the U.S. Agency for International Development. What lives are on the line as a result?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could fall under the purview of the State Department, or be dissolved entirely.

President Trump could shutter USAID. Is that legal?

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could fall under the purview of the State Department, or be dissolved entirely.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Tariffs, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric cars: there is much to be said about the evolving relationship between China and the United States.

It’s all kicking off with China

Tariffs, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric cars: there is much to be said about the evolving relationship between China and the United States.

from Scheer Intelligence

Sergio Olmos reports on the recent immigration raids in Kern County.

Immigration raids sow fear at Bakersfield farms

Sergio Olmos reports on the recent immigration raids in Kern County.

from Good Food

Donald Trump bashed DEI policies in response to a tragic plane crash. He’s bucked heads with LA’s mayor over the wildfires. Is now the time to focus on policy?

Trump muddies disaster responses with theories of his own

Donald Trump bashed DEI policies in response to a tragic plane crash. He’s bucked heads with LA’s mayor over the wildfires. Is now the time to focus on policy?

from Left, Right & Center

On Monday, President Trump rescinded trillions in federal funding. On Tuesday, a federal court paused the freeze. Today, Trump walked the entire plan back.

Trump’s second term pushes boundaries of presidential power

On Monday, President Trump rescinded trillions in federal funding. On Tuesday, a federal court paused the freeze. Today, Trump walked the entire plan back.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The LA County supervisor addresses residents' criticisms of officials' initial response to the Palisades Fire. She also discusses fire department investments, cleanup, and rebuilding.

‘We deployed everything’: Lindsey Horvath on LA fires, rebuilding better

The LA County supervisor addresses residents' criticisms of officials' initial response to the Palisades Fire. She also discusses fire department investments, cleanup, and rebuilding.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The order states those identifying as a different gender from their “individual sex” do not meet military standards. Trans service members are defending their right to serve.

Transgender service members: Target of Trump’s latest executive order

The order states those identifying as a different gender from their “individual sex” do not meet military standards. Trans service members are defending their right to serve.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday to lead HHS. His views of alternative medicine are increasingly embraced by the MAGA movement.

RFJ Jr. brings New Age thinking to MAGA

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday to lead HHS. His views of alternative medicine are increasingly embraced by the MAGA movement.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Trump has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico.

Trump deploys 1,500 troops to southern border. Is it legal?

President Trump has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Trump’s latest ICE orders give Orange County officials the choice to either collaborate or distance themselves from federal immigration enforcement.

What do Trump immigration crackdowns mean for OC?

Trump’s latest ICE orders give Orange County officials the choice to either collaborate or distance themselves from federal immigration enforcement.

from KCRW Features

Are Trump and Biden setting a dangerous precedent through their use of pardons? Will Congress retake its power to check the White House?

Trump tests limits of presidential powers with contentious first week

Are Trump and Biden setting a dangerous precedent through their use of pardons? Will Congress retake its power to check the White House?

from Left, Right & Center

This is the political season to be thankful for small favors of optimism, and in this edition of Scheer Intelligence, host Robert Scheer and guest Joe Lauria, editor of the Consortium…

For once Trump gets it right

This is the political season to be thankful for small favors of optimism, and in this edition of Scheer Intelligence, host Robert Scheer and guest Joe Lauria, editor of the Consortium…

from Scheer Intelligence

President Trump’s executive orders on immigration face legal roadblocks. But he’s still sending U.S.

‘They want immigrants to be scared’: Trump’s executive orders, border action

President Trump’s executive orders on immigration face legal roadblocks. But he’s still sending U.S.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand