Politics and views in the United States.

President Trump blames GOP losses in key governor races on the government shutdown. Republicans sue to block California s new voter maps and SCOTUS hears a case on the legality of the president's tariffs.

TRANSCRIPT

Welcome to 2025 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

The shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans, and they say that I wasn't on the ballot, was the biggest factor.

President Donald Trump says the ongoing government shutdown was a deciding factor in Democrats sweeping all competitive governor's races on election day.

Trump's approval is at a new low, and although both parties are unpopular, Democrats have a slim lead in generic polling.

Surveys suggest voters blame Trump and congressional Republicans slightly more for the shutdown, but would hold them especially responsible for more than doubling of ACA health insurance premiums if pandemic era tax credits expire.

The Democrats are also pointing to New York City, which elected its first Muslim mayor, running as an economic populist.

Democratic Socialist Assemblyman Zohar Mamdani beat former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Lewa and will be the youngest mayor in decades.

Mamdani says he'll move to freeze rent as the city faces record high housing costs.

After his victory, he said the election ends a political dynasty and restores power to working class New Yorkers.

Palms calloused from delivery bike handlebars, knuckles scarred with kitchen burns.

These are not hands that have been allowed to hold power.

And yet over the last 12 months, you have dared to reach for something greater.

Trump initially threatened to cut funds for essential programs in the city if Mamdani won and said he might deploy the National Guard to the city.

Republicans are suing to block California's voter-approved congressional maps from going into effect.

Proposition 50 passed by a huge majority and will let state lawmakers redistrict early one time without going through the normal nonpartisan system.

The GOP suit argues that violates the 14th and 15th amendments by favoring Hispanic voters.

Governor Gavin Newsom says Trump and Republicans have forced the issue because they know they're unpopular going into next year's midterms.

Why else would he call Greg Abbott saying he's entitled to five seats?

Why else is he trying to rig the midterm elections before one single vote is even cast?

He understands his position at this moment.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson feels people shouldn't see the election results as a rebuke of Republicans.

He says his caucus will have a proven track record to run on next year.

We cut taxes, cut regulations, cut waste, fraud and abuse in government.

We solved the border crisis, which was the number one issue on the ballot last fall.

We're solving the crime crisis around the country.

We've got American energy dominance revved and going again.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the legality of Trump's tariffs.

The White House enacted them under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, normally used to sanction enemies or freeze their assets.

Former acting Solicitor U.S. Secretary of State General Neal Katyal represents the plaintiffs and argued the president exceeded his authority, violating the separation of powers.

The Constitution, our framers, 238 years of American history, all say only Congress has the power to impose tariffs on the American people.

Trump has touted his trade policies allow the U.S. to cut trade deficits with other countries and promote domestic manufacturing.

But the plaintiffs say this is coming at the expense of small businesses, some of whom are taking out massive loans to pay for the import taxes.

According to S&P Global, the tariffs will cost small businesses more than a billion dollars.

I'm Edwin J. Viera for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at publicnewsservice.org.