Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after a week off for a packed episode covering President Trump’s State of the Union, including viewership trends, Democratic absences, key policy themes like immigration and affordability, and the Democratic responses.

Becky and Michael discuss the U.S. House Oversight Committee hearing featuring Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, alongside a new report alleging that Minnesota leaders failed to act on major fraud, and debate the need for clearer solutions, such as creating an independent Office of Inspector General in Minnesota.

They also examine a Star Tribune article on Minnesota Republicans recalibrating abortion messaging versus policy, and analyze Rep. Angie Craig’s op-ed regretting her vote for the Laken Riley Act amid Minnesota ICE raids and her Senate primary against Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

They close by noting a developing military engagement in Iran and the death of Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor from White Bear Lake, Minnesota.

* 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

* 01:09 Olympics Catch Up

* 05:37 Athletes and Free Speech

* 09:46 State of the Union Stats

* 13:00 SOTU Optics and Drama

* 18:16 Key Messages and Moments

* 21:46 Democratic Rebuttals

* 28:52 Oversight Fraud Hearing

* 34:05 Fraud Messaging Void

* 39:42 Inspector General Push

* 40:46 Republicans Need a Plan

* 42:28 House Bills and Hearing Theater

* 45:15 Abortion Messaging Reset

* 47:22 Platform vs Candidates

* 52:31 Empathy and Realities

* 57:20 Is Recalibration Real?

* 01:07:43 Rep. Angie Craig’s op-ed

* 01:10:05 Senate Race Fallout

* 01:15:56 Iran and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! In this episode, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb interview Minnesota State Senator Matt Klein, a physician and chair of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, who is also running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District.

Klein describes the opening days of the 2026 legislative session as emotional and bipartisan, including tributes to Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, a celebration of Sen. John Hoffman’s return, and recognition of the late Sen. Bruce Anderson.

He outlines his committee priorities, including data privacy, stopping “dynamic/surveillance pricing,” cracking down on cryptocurrency kiosks targeting seniors, and adding oversight to prediction markets operating in Minnesota.

Klein emphasizes his bipartisan approach and discusses a proposed two-year lobbying ban, as well as support for bipartisan legislation to establish an independent Office of Inspector General in Minnesota to address fraud and rebuild public trust after significant misuse of public programs.

Klein explains why he is running for Congress in Minnesota’s Second District, citing his medical background and the need to address looming healthcare challenges such as Medicaid cuts, misinformation about public health, and threats to rural hospitals and nursing homes; he also discusses his grassroots “pop-up town halls” approach and endorsements from across the Democratic spectrum.

The episode addresses immigration enforcement and ICE, with Klein calling for organizational reform, a review of civil liberties violations in Minnesota, and legislation to designate hospitals, clinics, and schools as protected spaces.

After the interview, Becky and Michael reflect positively on Klein’s bipartisan style and “bedside manner,” then discuss the start of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session.

They analyze expectations for a lame-duck Gov. Tim Walz, predict the session’s partisanship will increase, and explore parallels between fraud oversight and ICE oversight as trust-in-government issues. They also discuss how lawmakers running for higher office may affect session dynamics, make predictions about what might pass (including the Inspector General bill and technical fixes), identify issues that could dominate messaging (bonding, sanctuary city debates), and identify sports betting as a potential sleeper issue.

Join us for a sharp, fast-moving conversation breaking down the latest in politics, policy, and the stories shaping the moment.

* 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

* 01:23 Interview with Senator Matt Klein

* 06:08 Bipartisanship Under Pressure

* 16:10 Why Senator Klein is Running for Congress

* 38:12 Recap of Interview with Klein

* 47:27 Session Kickoff & Healing After Tragedy

* 51:17 Election-Year Session Forecast

* 01:25:18 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb dive into the highlights of Super Bowl weekend, including their take on the halftime show controversy, commercials, and snacks. They welcome their first candidate interview of 2026, Dr. Scott Jensen, who discusses his campaign shift from a gubernatorial run to a run for state auditor.

Dr. Jensen shares his strategy for the 2026 election, focusing on state audits and advocating for common-sense governance.

Becky and Michael also break down recent Star Tribune poll results on immigration and Trump’s policies, and discuss the implications of Operation Metro Surge drawdown. Tune in for a lively discussion on politics, policy, and current affairs.

* 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

* 04:57 Super Bowl Halftime Show Controversy

* 11:21 Interview with Dr. Scott Jensen

* 12:09 Dr. Scott Jensen’s Campaign Shift

* 14:15 Role and Vision for State Auditor

* 40:33 Lessons Learned from 2022

* 41:19 Discussing Trump’s Immigration Policy

* 45:13 The Role of the State Auditor

* 01:07:32 Polling Data and Political Climate

* 01:26:06 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb discuss the recent update on Operation Metro Surge, noting a partial drawdown of 700 officers statewide and the introduction of body-worn cameras for ICE agents in Minneapolis.

Switching gears, they break down the 2026 precinct caucuses for both parties and analyze the gubernatorial straw poll results. The episode highlights Senator Amy Klobuchar’s entry into the Minnesota Governor’s race, touching on new polling numbers and campaign strategy.

Finally, Becky and Michael examine the race for the open U.S. Senate seat left by Tina Smith, discussing the key candidates and the dynamics within the Democratic Party.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about Minnesota’s political landscape!

* 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

* 00:55 Operation Metro Surge Update

* 03:25 Caucus Night Turnout and Straw Poll Results

* 07:59 Republican Gubernatorial Race Analysis

* 18:10 Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Entry into the Governor’s Race

* 30:26 Governor Race Dynamics

* 31:25 Poll Analysis: Klobuchar vs. Republicans

* 33:54 Klobuchar’s Political Strength

* 39:06 DFL Senate Race: Craig vs Flanagan

* 48:38 Michelle Tafoya announces run for U.S. Senate

* 52:59 NRSC Poll Insights

* 57:54 Trump Endorsement Speculations

* 01:00:25 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

In this emotionally charged episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb tackle recent tragic events involving ICE in Minnesota. They focus on the tragic shooting death of Alex Pretti by a border control agent, with layered discussions on the subsequent political, public, and administrative reactions.

The episode delves into the impacts on local and national politics, including the 2026 elections, and the impending Congressional funding package.

Michael and Becky also critique the current federal immigration enforcement operations and their broader implications on the Second Amendment and public sentiment. Notably, the episode offers insights into the urgent need for transparent, cooperative investigations.

Join them for a comprehensive breakdown of these critical issues shaking Minnesota and the nation.

* 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

* 01:01 The Shooting of Alex Preddi

* 02:36 Public and Personal Reactions

* 09:05 Government Response and Controversies

* 44:30 Reflecting on Republican Values and the Second Amendment

* 45:57 Applauding Local Leaders for Their Actions

* 48:04 Current Political Realities and Legislative Challenges

* 52:36 Impact of ICE Operations and Future Implications

* 54:49 Public Opinion and Political Implications

* 55:48 Impact on 2026 Elections

* 01:03:33 Republican Messaging and Immigration Policy

* 01:27:23 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

NOTE: Here is a link to Michael’s Substack post that he mentioned during this episode.

Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! Hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb provide updates on topics from previous episodes, exploring incidents like the flashbang injury involving children in North Minneapolis and the inconsistencies in the parents’ statements.

Becky and Michael also cover legal updates, including the DOJ’s subpoenas to multiple Democratic leaders and the reactions from local and federal officials. The episode further discusses recent and upcoming protests, including a disruption at a church service and its legal ramifications.

Finally, Becky and Michael explore the divide in messaging between ICE and local law enforcement. Don’t miss this crucial discussion on politics, policy, and current affairs affecting Minnesota.

* 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

* 00:43 Updates on Recent Incidents

* 03:40 Political Tensions and Subpoenas

* 13:59 Protests and Legal Repercussions

* 28:29 Don Lemon’s Controversy and Journalistic Ethics

* 28:56 Minnesota’s Ice Out Protest: Impact and Opinions

* 38:25 Law Enforcement’s Role and ICE Coordination

* 48:56 Trust Issues and Future Discussions

* 58:45 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

Welcome to another episode of ‘The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky!’ Join hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb for an intense episode, where they delve into the tragic death of Renee Goode and the intricate dynamics of ICE operations in Minnesota.

Michael and Becky provide updates on the incident, ongoing civil litigation, and the subsequent fallout. The episode includes a critical analysis of recent polling data that reveals the public’s perception of ICE and its implications for the Trump administration.

Finally, they discuss the challenges of balancing civil rights and law enforcement, explore potential solutions, and emphasize the importance of bipartisan cooperation. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on one of today’s most pressing issues.

* 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

* 01:31 Recap of Last Week’s Episode

* 02:00 Updates on the Renee Goode Case

* 03:39 Discussion on Law Enforcement and Public Trust

* 08:14 Personal Insights and Broader Implications

* 14:45 ICE Agents and Body Cameras Debate

* 22:06 Legal and Political Ramifications

* 23:51 Mass Exodus from the US Attorney’s Office

* 31:14 Public Opinion and Poll Results

* 46:04 ICE Operations in Minnesota

* 56:23 Personal Reflections on Protests and Parenting

* 58:39 Trump’s Threat to Invoke the Insurrection Act

* 01:01:10 The Role of Our Republican Legacy

* 01:02:54 Debating the Insurrection Act and Republican Principles

* 01:06:00 Concerns Over ICE Operations and Public Safety

* 01:10:25 The Importance of Responsible Storytelling

* 01:25:13 First Amendment Rights and Protests

* 01:37:59 Political Dynamics and Potential Solutions

* 01:47:34 Football Season Recap and Personal Anecdotes

* 01:51:02 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!

Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky! In this emotionally charged and insightful discussion, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb tackle a whirlwind of current events, including the tragic shooting involving an ICE agent in Minnesota and the subsequent fallout.

Guests Julius Hernandez and John Rouleau join the podcast to provide opposing viewpoints on the incident, the political rhetoric surrounding it, and the broader implications for local and national politics. The episode also dives into a shocking new report from the Office of Legislative Auditor, revealing systemic fraud and mismanagement within Minnesota’s state agencies. Tune in for a balanced, in-depth exploration of these complex issues.

* 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

* 00:55 Setting the Tone: Heavy Topics Ahead

* 01:36 ICE in Minnesota: The Incident Breakdown

* 04:04 Diverging Opinions: Political Reactions and Blame

* 09:27 Analyzing the Shooting: Facts and Perspectives

* 16:06 Political Rhetoric and Public Reactions

* 28:50 Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey’s Responses

* 41:29 The Line Between Observer and Vigilante

* 42:20 Confidence in Federal Investigations

* 43:17 Concerns About ICE Statements

* 44:51 Transparency in Investigations

* 47:58 Trust in Government and Transition to Fraud

* 48:45 The OLA Report and Systemic Fraud

* 49:44 Shocking Evidence of Fraud

* 51:25 Government Employees and Fraud

* 52:31 Governor Walz and New Fraud Allegations

* 58:46 Legislative Actions and Fraud Oversight

* 01:01:22 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky will return with a new episode next week!