Philadelphia-based attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen represented Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. As the president’s current hush money trial continues, Brennan and van der Veen share their experience defending the former president in the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:  :30  – Did the Trump impeachment trial feel different from other cases? 2:36 – Preparing for the impeachment trial 6:00 – Reacting to the jury 6:30 – How they almost lost Mitch McConnell 7:45 – The politics of the impea ..read more

Philadelphia-based attorneys William J. Brennan and Michael van der Veen once represented former President Donald Trump’s payroll corporation in a tax fraud trial as well as Trump himself in his second impeachment trial. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk, both attorneys share their insights on Trump’s current hush money trial and how it compares to the tax fraud trial, which featured the same judge. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:  1:26 – Brennan and van der Veen speak about being in the same courtroom with the same judge while representing Trump’s co ..read more

If you’re a registered Democrat or Republican in Pennsylvania, you’ll get to vote in April’s primary elections. If you’re an independent not affiliated with the party however, you won’t get a say until November. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk speaks with David Thornburgh – the former head of the Committee of 70 and current chair of Ballot PA – about the push to allow independents to vote in Pennsylvania’s primaries.  Here is a full breakdown of the episode:  0:09 – Who gets to vote in the Pennsylvania primary election? 0:25 – Pennsylvania’s registered vot ..read more

NBC10’s Lauren Mayk visited Washington, DC, for President Biden’s State of the Union address. For the latest episode of her Battleground Politics podcast, Lauren asked local members of Congress one simple question: what can they actually get done this year? Lauren spoke with Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pennsylvania), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-New Jersey), Senator Tom Carper (D-Delaware), Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and Michael Hagen, an associate professor of political science at Temple University.  Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:  Interview with Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon ..read more

In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner spoke with Lauren Mayk about his ongoing fight against Act 40, a new law that would give a special prosecutor jurisdiction over any crime committed on SEPTA’s property. Krasner also spoke about his disagreement with Governor Josh Shapiro over Act 40, the recent violence on and near SEPTA properties, working with the city's new mayor and new police commissioner and whether or not he plans to run for a third term. Here is a full breakdown of the episode: 1:43 – Preparing for the possibility of a spe ..read more

Rep. Dwight Evans invited Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker to Washington, DC, as his guest for President Biden's State of the Union Thursday night. Hours before the address, Mayor Parker and Rep. Evans spoke with NBC10's Lauren Mayk about the recent gun violence in Philly and the upcoming presidential election as well as the challenges that Philly, the country and the president face. Here is a full breakdown of the episode. :38 – Why did Dwight Evans invite Mayor Parker to the State of the Union? 1:18 – Working with DC to help Philly 3:20 – A divided Washington 5:17 – Philadelphia and the pr ..read more

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk is speaking with residents and leaders in the Philadelphia area and surrounding suburbs about how voters are feeling about various issues, including the economy. While Philadelphia is heavily democratic, whether voters turn out or whether Republicans peel some votes away can have a big impact on the presidential race in Pennsylvania. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren speaks with Philly Democratic ward leader Sharon Vaughn, Mikal Ellis, the owner of a High Level Cutz barbershop, and Patrick Murray, the direct ..read more

In the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk, new Philadelphia Council President Kenyatta Johnson talks moving forward and helping the city improve following his acquittal in his federal corruption trial. He also talked about working with new Mayor Cherelle Parker, how he plans to tackle the city’s ongoing gun violence crisis, his thoughts on stop and frisk, Act 40 and the 76ers arena proposal. Here's a full breakdown of the episode: 1:00 – What will city council look like with Kenyatta Johnson as president? 1:57 – Johnson’s approach to his new leadership role 2:33 – Working ..read more

Changes are underway in Pennsylvania, where there is a new governor, a power shift in the General Assembly and the possibility of an earlier 2024 primary. Lauren Mayk sits down with AP reporter Marc Levy to discuss the latest developments with Pa. state politics. In this episode, they discuss: :50 - Lauren and Marc’s connection 3:05 - The political state of Harrisburg 5:15 - Pennsylvania budget 7:28 - Will Josh Shapiro run for president? 12:00 - Earlier primary date for Pa.? 15:55 - Poll staffing challenges 20:24 - Casey and Fetterman 23:00 - Waiting on McCormick? 24:50 - A shift in power in P ..read more

In Episode 7 of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk, Philadelphia's Republican candidate for mayor, David Oh, discussed a wide range of issues, including crime in the city, the search for a new police commissioner, stop and frisk, the proposed 76ers arena, the future of the GOP and accusations that he falsely claimed to have served in the Green Berets. Oh also spoke about the deadly police shooting of Eddie Irizarry, building trust between police and the community, and the city’s ghost gun and gun shop lawsuits. Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: 1:30 – Crime in Philadelphia 3:33 – Loo ..read more