President Trump's election subversion efforts are creating chaos and confusion for voters ahead of the midterms. California Senator Alex Padilla joins The Weekend to discuss the impact Trump and Republicans are making on Americans' access to the ballot box.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has repeatedly missed its own deadlines to purchase trains, quietly dropped a lawsuit against the federal government after failing to meet a promise it made to a judge, and still cannot say when it will award a trainset contract, a record that handed the Trump administration a straightforward case for […] The post California's high-speed rail authority can't say when it will buy its trains — and that's why $4 billion vanished appeared first on American Almanac .
The California High-Speed Rail Authority has repeatedly missed its own deadlines to purchase trains, quietly dropped a lawsuit against the federal government after failing to meet a promise it made to a judge, and still cannot say when it will award a trainset contract, a record that handed the Trump administration a straightforward case for pulling $4 billion in federal funding. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cut the money in July 2025 after federal officials noted California had spent $15 billion over 16 years without laying a single mile of high-speed rail track. The state sued within days. Governor Gavin Newsom called the move a "political stunt to punish California." Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit to block what he called…Open
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) is set to deliver remarks Thursday morning at a Public Citizen forum focused on combating public corruption. He will be joined by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) as Democrats ramp up their attacks on President Trump's agenda, corporate power and billionaire influence ahead of the midterm elections. The discussion, according to a press release, will focus on money in politics, "money in politics, contracting scandals, pay-to-play schemes and family enrichment deals for elected officials." It also comes as Schumer is expected to outline a new proposal for an independent federal agency dedicated to investigating government corruption, according to reports. #schumer…
The day that launched Gavin Newsom as a presidential frontrunner also brought an unwelcome surprise that could haunt the California governor's potential 2028 campaign. Why it matters: Sen. Alex Padilla caught Newsom off guard Nov. 4 by declaring he wouldn't run for governor — depriving Newsom of his preferred successor on the same day the governor triumphed in a statewide redistricting referendum. - The governor has resisted endorsing any other potential successor ahead of the June 2 primary. There's no clear Democratic frontrunner , and he wants to have a good relationship with whoever wins. The big picture: The winner of the California race matters a great deal for Newsom's campaign. His governance of the state — and Republican…
State of the Union: The representative’s political allies deserted him after sexual misconduct allegations emerged. The post Eric Swalwell Suspends Campaign for California Governor appeared first on The American Conservative .
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday after sexual assault and misconduct allegations triggered a rapid political collapse that has upended the race to lead the nation’s most populous state. Swalwell announced the move in a post on X, apologizing to supporters for what he called “mistakes in judgment” while insisting the allegations are false and should be fought outside the campaign. His exit capped a dramatic reversal for a candidate who recently appeared to be emerging from a crowded Democratic field, attracting support from elected officials and major interest groups. But allegations from a former staffer, followed by additional accusations of sexual misconduct from other women,…Open
'a lot of political messaging'
Senate Democrats are currently blocking the SAVE America Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot. They insist the legislation is unnecessary, arguing noncitizen voting is already illegal. Sen. Alex Padilla said noncitizen voting in federal elections “is already a felony” and that the […]
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) speak with reporters to voice their opposition to the GOP-led Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. The election reform bill, backed by President Trump, would require Americans to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to bring a valid ID when casting a ballot. It would also eliminate voting by mail without excuses such as illness or military duty. Earlier this week, Schumer lashed out at the measure calling it, "one of the most despicable pieces of legislation I’ve come across in the many years I’ve been a legislator.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) will speak with reporters Wednesday morning to voice their opposition to the GOP-led Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAFE) America Act. The election reform bill, backed by President Trump, would require Americans to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to bring a valid ID when casting a ballot. It would also eliminate voting by mail without excuses such as illness or military duty. Earlier this week, Schumer lashed out at the measure calling it, "one of the most despicable pieces of legislation I’ve come across in the many years I’ve been a legislator.” The bill, passed last month in the House, has hit roadblocks in the upper…
Newly installed Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will give the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight. In January, Spanberger was sworn in as the first female governor of the commonwealth. She previously served in Congress for six years and has worked as a Central Intelligence Agency officer. “She stands in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who will lie, deflect and blame everyone but himself for his failed presidency on Tuesday evening. As our nation marks its 250th anniversary this summer, Governor Spanberger embodies the best of America as a mother, community leader and dedicated public servant,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement when Spanberger was announced as…