Alexei Koseff
@akoseff.bsky.social
Keeping an eye on all things California in Washington DC for the San Francisco Chronicle. Reach me at alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com
Pinned
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
Why does a former Florida governor whose experience is mostly with hurricanes care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
www.sfchronicle.com
Why does a Florida senator care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
As some progressives resume calls to “abolish ICE,” Democratic leaders in Congress are instead emphasizing restraint — urging more control, accountability, oversight, standards — perhaps as much for their party as the officers in the streets.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Democrats are pushing ICE reform – but they’re still haunted by the last battle
Democrats believe they’ve found the right way to highlight the agency’s abuses of power.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
As some progressives resume calls to “abolish ICE,” Democratic leaders in Congress are instead emphasizing restraint — urging more control, accountability, oversight, standards — perhaps as much for their party as the officers in the streets.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A divided federal court upheld Prop 50, ruling that congressional maps were legally drawn for political purposes and not as an act of racial discrimination, as Republicans contended.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Court greenlights Prop 50 for 2026 election, denying GOP bid to block new maps
The congressional map approved by California voters to boost the number of House Democrats was upheld Wednesday by a divided federal court.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:27 PM
A divided federal court upheld Prop 50, ruling that congressional maps were legally drawn for political purposes and not as an act of racial discrimination, as Republicans contended.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Another threat yesterday by Trump to pull funding from sanctuary cities and states would violate repeated court rulings that he cannot do that
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump again vows to yank funds from sanctuary cities. In S.F., he’d be violating a court order
President Trump declared he would cut off funds to sanctuary cities and states on Feb. 1. A court order in place in San Francisco since April forbids the Trump administration from doing so.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Another threat yesterday by Trump to pull funding from sanctuary cities and states would violate repeated court rulings that he cannot do that
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Thousands of signatures and half a year away from the possibility of a vote, a proposed one-time tax on California billionaires is already unleashing chaos in state politics, @saralibby.bsky.social writes: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A California billionaires tax hasn’t yet qualified for the ballot. But it’s already unleashing chaos
Billionaires are panicking and spreading misinformation about a proposed wealth tax. Here’s how it would work and who’s really behind it.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Thousands of signatures and half a year away from the possibility of a vote, a proposed one-time tax on California billionaires is already unleashing chaos in state politics, @saralibby.bsky.social writes: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom will call for legislation to crack down on investment companies buying starter homes in his final State of the State speech today, @sophiabollag.bsky.social reports.
Trump posted about a similar effort on Truth Social yesterday.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump posted about a similar effort on Truth Social yesterday.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Gavin Newsom’s last State of the State will tout homelessness drop, attack Trump
Newsom plans to announce that California regions are reporting a 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness in the last year.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Newsom will call for legislation to crack down on investment companies buying starter homes in his final State of the State speech today, @sophiabollag.bsky.social reports.
Trump posted about a similar effort on Truth Social yesterday.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump posted about a similar effort on Truth Social yesterday.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In today's print @sfchronicle.com: How Spencer Pratt inspired a Florida senator to investigate the Palisades Fire, the presidential politics that have California leaders dismissing it as a political stunt, and why angry Palisadians are on board anyway
🎁 link: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
🎁 link: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
January 8, 2026 at 4:04 PM
In today's print @sfchronicle.com: How Spencer Pratt inspired a Florida senator to investigate the Palisades Fire, the presidential politics that have California leaders dismissing it as a political stunt, and why angry Palisadians are on board anyway
🎁 link: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
🎁 link: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Updated with the news that Spencer Pratt, whose advocacy prompted this congressional investigation, has announced today he's running for Los Angeles mayor
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
January 7, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Updated with the news that Spencer Pratt, whose advocacy prompted this congressional investigation, has announced today he's running for Los Angeles mayor
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Alexei Koseff
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
@akoseff.bsky.social looks into Rick Scott's interest in the CA fire (and spoiler alert, it involves Spencer Pratt)
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
@akoseff.bsky.social looks into Rick Scott's interest in the CA fire (and spoiler alert, it involves Spencer Pratt)
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
Why does a former Florida governor whose experience is mostly with hurricanes care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
www.sfchronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:44 PM
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
@akoseff.bsky.social looks into Rick Scott's interest in the CA fire (and spoiler alert, it involves Spencer Pratt)
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
@akoseff.bsky.social looks into Rick Scott's interest in the CA fire (and spoiler alert, it involves Spencer Pratt)
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Southern California House members renew their call for supplemental disaster aid on first anniversary of Los Angeles fires
@reptedlieu.bsky.social said President Trump is trying to punish Democratic communities by refusing to provide assistance
“He said help was coming. He lied,” Lieu said
@reptedlieu.bsky.social said President Trump is trying to punish Democratic communities by refusing to provide assistance
“He said help was coming. He lied,” Lieu said
January 7, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Southern California House members renew their call for supplemental disaster aid on first anniversary of Los Angeles fires
@reptedlieu.bsky.social said President Trump is trying to punish Democratic communities by refusing to provide assistance
“He said help was coming. He lied,” Lieu said
@reptedlieu.bsky.social said President Trump is trying to punish Democratic communities by refusing to provide assistance
“He said help was coming. He lied,” Lieu said
The entire California congressional delegation, including Democrats and Republicans, sent a letter to President Trump today asking him to "ensure the communities of Southern California receive their fair share of federal disaster assistance": www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
www.padilla.senate.gov
January 7, 2026 at 5:58 PM
The entire California congressional delegation, including Democrats and Republicans, sent a letter to President Trump today asking him to "ensure the communities of Southern California receive their fair share of federal disaster assistance": www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/u...
Why does a Florida senator care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
Why does a former Florida governor whose experience is mostly with hurricanes care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
www.sfchronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Why does a Florida senator care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
“In this job, you get to focus on things that are important to you,” Sen. Rick Scott said. “Disasters are important.”
Could it ever be so simple in politics in 2026?
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
On the anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, California's calls for more federal aid have stalled while a congressional investigation is gaining steam.
Just why does Florida's Sen. Rick Scott care so much about one fire that took place across the country? www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Just why does Florida's Sen. Rick Scott care so much about one fire that took place across the country? www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
A Florida senator wants answers on the Palisades Fire. What’s he really after?
Why does a former Florida governor whose experience is mostly with hurricanes care so much about one fire that took place across the country?
www.sfchronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:39 PM
On the anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, California's calls for more federal aid have stalled while a congressional investigation is gaining steam.
Just why does Florida's Sen. Rick Scott care so much about one fire that took place across the country? www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Just why does Florida's Sen. Rick Scott care so much about one fire that took place across the country? www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
The federal government is freezing child care funding for California as President Trump vows a "fraud investigation"
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump administration moves to cut off billions in child care funding to California
Billions of dollars in federal funds and subsidies used to help needy California families afford child care would be frozen. The move is billed as an effort to root out fraud.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:01 PM
The federal government is freezing child care funding for California as President Trump vows a "fraud investigation"
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Chico Republican who was a vocal advocate for California’s rural north, died unexpectedly Tuesday at 65. It complicates narrow Republican control of Congress and throws his district, already redrawn by Prop 50, into further uncertainty.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California Rep. LaMalfa dies suddenly after 911 call; Newsom orders flags to half-mast
Rep. Doug LaMalfa of Chico, a vocal advocate for California’s rural north, died at the age of 65, complicating Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Chico Republican who was a vocal advocate for California’s rural north, died unexpectedly Tuesday at 65. It complicates narrow Republican control of Congress and throws his district, already redrawn by Prop 50, into further uncertainty.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Alexei Koseff
California’s roller-coaster relationship with President Donald Trump is poised to shift again in 2026 as the state elects a new governor and Gov. Gavin Newsom weighs a run for the White House.
5 decisions that will reshape California’s relationship with Trump in 2026
California’s roller-coaster relationship with President Donald Trump is poised to shift again in 2026 as the state elects a new governor and Gov. Gavin Newsom weighs a run for the White House.
bit.ly
January 4, 2026 at 3:40 PM
California’s roller-coaster relationship with President Donald Trump is poised to shift again in 2026 as the state elects a new governor and Gov. Gavin Newsom weighs a run for the White House.
A gubernatorial election, Newsom's pending presidential campaign, the battle over the National Guard deployment: How 2026 could shift California's relationship with President Trump
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
5 decisions that will reshape California’s relationship with Trump in 2026
California’s roller-coaster relationship with President Donald Trump is poised to shift again in 2026 as the state elects a new governor and Gov. Gavin Newsom weighs a run for the White House.
www.sfchronicle.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:33 PM
A gubernatorial election, Newsom's pending presidential campaign, the battle over the National Guard deployment: How 2026 could shift California's relationship with President Trump
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
From the Los Angeles fires to Prop 50, @sophiabollag.bsky.social looks back on the first year of Trump vs. California 2.0: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
These were the most explosive moments so far in California’s war with Trump
Targeting California — through lawsuits, policies to undermine state laws and insults hurled at its leaders — has become a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:15 PM
From the Los Angeles fires to Prop 50, @sophiabollag.bsky.social looks back on the first year of Trump vs. California 2.0: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom and other California officials blamed Trump funding cuts for a false earthquake alert earlier this month. The real cause of the mistake is still unknown, @taraduggan.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Newsom all but blamed Trump for a false earthquake alert. But there are no real answers
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are pointing fingers at the federal government after a false alert went out to millions of Californians for an earthquake that never happened.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Newsom and other California officials blamed Trump funding cuts for a false earthquake alert earlier this month. The real cause of the mistake is still unknown, @taraduggan.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
After canceling 17,000 commercial drivers licenses last month under pressure from the Trump admin, California will begin reissuing licenses for immigrants with valid work permits, potentially setting up a clash with the feds, @saradinatale.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Immigrant truck drivers have become collateral damage in the state’s war with Trump
The Department of Motor Vehicles plans to begin issuing the drivers new licenses this week, according to a letter obtained by the Chronicle.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
After canceling 17,000 commercial drivers licenses last month under pressure from the Trump admin, California will begin reissuing licenses for immigrants with valid work permits, potentially setting up a clash with the feds, @saradinatale.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Pelosi and Biden have never spoken again since she encouraged the president to drop his re-election bid last year. She told @susanpagedc.bsky.social: "He did make a lovely statement when I announced my future plans, and I am grateful to him for that."
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Exclusive: Is America ready for a woman president? Nancy Pelosi's surprising take.
Exit interview: After four decades, the most powerful woman in the history of the United States heads home. She's still defiant.
www.usatoday.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Pelosi and Biden have never spoken again since she encouraged the president to drop his re-election bid last year. She told @susanpagedc.bsky.social: "He did make a lovely statement when I announced my future plans, and I am grateful to him for that."
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
ICYMI: President Trump signed an executive order last night directing his administration to challenge "onerous" state AI laws
California has gone further than anywhere in regulating the burgeoning industry and state officials are preparing to push back:
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California has gone further than anywhere in regulating the burgeoning industry and state officials are preparing to push back:
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump signs AI executive order to upend state laws. California has the most to lose
President Trump has signed an executive order to circumvent state oversight of artificial intelligence, threatening California’s efforts to shape the burgeoning AI industry.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
ICYMI: President Trump signed an executive order last night directing his administration to challenge "onerous" state AI laws
California has gone further than anywhere in regulating the burgeoning industry and state officials are preparing to push back:
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California has gone further than anywhere in regulating the burgeoning industry and state officials are preparing to push back:
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Newsom, who said he couldn't get a meeting with the Trump administration when he was in DC last week, tries a new strategy on securing additional federal aid for the Los Angeles fires, after months of relentlessly trolling the president
In moments of disaster, responding to constituents with compassion, resolve, and unity of purpose is our responsibility and duty. It transcends party lines.
December 12, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Newsom, who said he couldn't get a meeting with the Trump administration when he was in DC last week, tries a new strategy on securing additional federal aid for the Los Angeles fires, after months of relentlessly trolling the president
With Congress unlikely to extend enhanced ACA subsidies before they expire at end of the year, California is expecting major hits to the health care system.
@coveredca.bsky.social said new enrollment is already down more than 30% compared to same time last year.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
@coveredca.bsky.social said new enrollment is already down more than 30% compared to same time last year.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
California braces for disaster as Congress fails to come to a deal on health care plans
Insurance premiums for nearly 2 million Californians are almost certain to spike in a matter of weeks as a fractured Congress allows federal subsidies for some customers to expire.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
With Congress unlikely to extend enhanced ACA subsidies before they expire at end of the year, California is expecting major hits to the health care system.
@coveredca.bsky.social said new enrollment is already down more than 30% compared to same time last year.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
@coveredca.bsky.social said new enrollment is already down more than 30% compared to same time last year.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to circumvent state oversight of artificial intelligence, threatening California’s efforts to shape the burgeoning industry.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
Trump signs AI executive order to upend state laws. California has the most to lose
President Trump has signed an executive order to circumvent state oversight of artificial intelligence, threatening California’s efforts to shape the burgeoning AI industry.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:28 AM
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to circumvent state oversight of artificial intelligence, threatening California’s efforts to shape the burgeoning industry.
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
www.sfchronicle.com/politics/art...
In a floor speech marking his first year in the Senate, @schiff.senate.gov nearly started crying as he talked about "the farmworkers in the Central Valley who are afraid to go work and attend church, lest ICE detain them — citizens and non-citizens alike."
December 10, 2025 at 8:34 PM
In a floor speech marking his first year in the Senate, @schiff.senate.gov nearly started crying as he talked about "the farmworkers in the Central Valley who are afraid to go work and attend church, lest ICE detain them — citizens and non-citizens alike."