On Background with Susan Crabtree

California's primary is next week and the numbers are wild! A reality TV star is within 1 point of the sitting LA mayor. One Democrat running for governor said on camera that California "needs Chevron" while taking their checks. Another has spent $195 million on ads and is still stuck in the polls. And two Republicans are splitting the vote in a way that may hand the governor's race entirely to Democrats, cutting off the only real check on Gavin Newsom's record. Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers break it all down on this week's On Background.

Steve Hilton is leading the race for governor of California, and he sat down with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers to explain why. The numbers tell the story. California ranks 50th out of 50 for opportunity. 50th out of 50 for business climate, ten years in a row. Highest poverty rate, highest unemployment, highest cost of living. Where is the money going? Hilton's Golden Together fraud reports found $928 million of a $1 billion climate fund, money meant to put solar panels on low-income apartment buildings, redirected to Democrat political organizing. A separate nonprofit, Tzedek, gets roughly 80 percent of its revenue from taxpayers and openly hires "paid canvassers of varying immigration status, including undocumented" to elect Xavier Becerra. This is what one-party rule buys you.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers

A gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents Dinner with the President, Vice President, and most of the Cabinet in the same room. The Secret Service Director called the setup “perfect.” On this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers are joined by former House Oversight Chairman Jason Chaffetz to examine what actually happened, what the agency is still hiding, and why a decade of warnings has produced almost no reform.   Chaffetz, who led the most aggressive Secret Service oversight in modern congressional history and authored a 2015 committee report titled “United States Secret Service: An Agency in Crisis,” walks through the structural failures that have only worsened. The average Secret Service employee receives 30 minutes of training per year. The agency is roughly 1,000 agents short. Many uniformed officers patrol the White House grounds without ever having been inside the building. The promised White House training replica has ballooned from $8 million to more than $140 million.   Susan adds her latest reporting, including new details about the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt, the supervisors who were promoted instead of disciplined, the campaign’s request to remove the farm equipment that would have blocked the gunman’s line of sight, and an internal culture that has stopped responding to her questions since her exclusive reporting on a Secret Service agent investigated for alleged tax fraud.   The episode also covers Director Sean Curran’s leadership, the missing transparency about which officer was actually hit, ongoing congressional briefings led by Chairman James Comer, and the six structural reforms Chaffetz says must happen before the World Cup brings unprecedented protective demands to American soil.   This is a sober look at the institution charged with protecting American leaders, and the consequences of letting it fail in slow motion.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers

Eric Swalwell's exit from the California governor's race was abrupt. But according to Susan Crabtree, it was not unexpected.   In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers trace the years of rumored misconduct that preceded Swalwell's fall, the political calculation behind his implosion, and what it reveals about access journalism in both California and Washington, D.C. They examine the congressional ethics system, including the slush fund used to quietly settle harassment claims, and why it is structurally incapable of accountability.   They also turn to the race to replace him. Billionaire Tom Steyer has emerged as the Democratic frontrunner, despite admitting he has not been following Gavin Newsom's record and having rolled out a plan that would effectively end immigration detention in California.   Then Crabtree details the story she is currently reporting: the network of immigration nonprofits absorbing billions in taxpayer funds, including money used to shield convicted felons from deportation. In response to that kind of journalism, California legislators have introduced a bill that would fine reporters $10,000 and subject them to jail time for investigating those organizations.   Crabtree also previews a coming investigation into how sexual harassment cases within the California congressional delegation were handled over the years, and who knew what, when.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.   Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Govt_Acct_Inst    

California's fraud problem is no longer a local story. Federal investigators are now pursuing thousands of cases tied to state-run programs, and Susan Crabtree has been on this story for months.   In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers detail the scope of what they call California's empire of fraud. They cover the DOJ's Never Say Die hospice fraud arrests, the collapse of the state's COVID-era unemployment insurance system, and the explosive growth of the In-Home Support Services program, a Medi-Cal sub-program now linked to widespread abuse. They also examine the political infrastructure that allowed the fraud to grow, including officials who were promoted rather than held accountable.   Crabtree previews her next area of investigation: the nonprofit networks she calls the immigration industrial complex, which channels more than a billion dollars toward shielding illegal immigrants, including convicted felons, from deportation.   This episode offers a detailed, sourced look at how California's governing failures have reached a national scale.   Follow on X!   @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.   Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@Govt_Acct_Inst    

The California governor’s race takes a chaotic turn as a major televised debate collapses under political pressure. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers examine what led to the cancellation and what it reveals about the state of California politics.   They break down the criteria used to select candidates, the backlash from excluded campaigns, and how internal party divisions and race-based disputes shut down a key opportunity for voters to hear directly from those seeking to lead the state.   The episode also dives into Susan’s latest reporting on government spending, including a $114 million wildlife bridge project that has gone over budget and remains unfinished. They compare it to similar projects in other states and examine how taxpayer dollars are being used. In addition, they discuss the crowded Democratic field, the rising momentum of Republican candidates focused on accountability, and the broader issue of fraud and spending tied to state-funded programs.   This episode offers a clear look at leadership, accountability, and the political dynamics shaping California’s future.   Follow on X!    @susancrabtree  @Eric_Eggers  @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈

Iran tried to kill President Trump in 2024 and the threats remained active. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers reveal the assassination plots that came within one day of the Butler shooting.   They explore how the FBI arrested Asif Merchant on July 12th at an Iranian safe house where he discussed Trump rally security details. National security officials warned the Secret Service about Iranian threats two weeks before the July 13th rally. The agency knew about the acute danger weeks in advance.   The discussion covers the funding crisis at the Secret Service. DHS remains unfunded while agents protect over 30 individuals from active Iranian assassination campaigns. The manpower problems that existed before Butler continue. Thousands of Iranian nationals entered through the Biden border. Western hostages remain trapped in Evin prison in Tehran.   Follow on X!  @susancrabtree  @Eric_Eggers  @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈

Gavin Newsom stepped on his own book launch this week with contradictory claims about dyslexia that unraveled under basic scrutiny. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers break down the disastrous week that exposed a pattern of lies defining Newsom's political career. They explore how Newsom told voters he cannot read while video shows him bragging about reading quickly. His press team responded to questions with hostility instead of providing documentation. The episode reveals how four powerful San Francisco families handed Newsom his career on a silver platter, from Gordon Getty funding his wine business to Jerry Brown writing college recommendations. The discussion also covers Newsom's fabricated college baseball career at Santa Clara University. Actual players contacted reporters to expose how he spent at most three months on the JV team before any official games. His claims of a career ended by injury mask the reality of stolen athletic valor and privilege. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈 On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute.   

The Hunter Biden investigation became one of the most suppressed stories in American history, but the IRS whistleblowers who exposed the truth are finally telling their side. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers sit down with Tristan Leavitt, President of Empower Oversight, to reveal the two-year saga of bringing Gary Shapley and Joe Ziegler's testimony to Congress.   They explore how the Department of Justice systematically obstructed the investigation, why 50% of Biden voters had no idea the laptop story existed before the 2020 election, and how 51 intelligence officials lied about Russian disinformation while the IRS already had the evidence.   The episode also discusses the new documentary "Shielded by Power," which brings together firsthand accounts from the whistleblowers, investigative reporting from Miranda Devine, and the disturbing coordination between Big Tech, mainstream media, and federal agencies to protect the Biden family from accountability.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.  👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie has gripped the nation, but now serious questions are being raised about how the investigation is being handled. In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers take a closer look at the FBI’s role in the case and whether all available resources are truly being deployed. They explore tensions between federal and local law enforcement, the growing controversy surrounding the use of administrative subpoenas, and the powerful influence of media attention in high-profile investigations. The episode also features Susan’s exclusive reporting on Secret Service accountability in the aftermath of Butler, adding another layer to the broader conversation about transparency and leadership in federal law enforcement. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

California's homelessness scandal explodes in this episode of On Background, as hosts Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers expose how billions in taxpayer dollars vanished into luxury mansions and campaign coffers. The Shangri-La Industries fraud reveals a system where oversight does not exist and political donations buy silence. The company's 28-year-old CFO embezzled millions for a $46,000 monthly rent on a Beverly Hills mansion, a Bentley, a Ferrari, and diamond necklaces for his girlfriend. The firm claimed $60 million in Bank of America accounts to win state contracts. The money never existed. Nobody checked. Governor Gavin Newsom received $18,000 from the fraudulent operation. He refuses to return the donations or answer questions about a mysterious additional $30,000 that funded his homelessness ballot initiative. LA Mayor Karen Bass now faces her own crisis after the LA Times exposed how she watered down the Palisades fire after-action report to hide city failures. Resources were not prepositioned. Fire trucks were not deployed. Bass was in Ghana when the fires started. The scandal has damaged her so severely that former rival Rick Caruso is reconsidering a mayoral run. JD Vance launches a new task force to investigate California fraud. This sets up a direct confrontation with Newsom ahead of 2028. The vice president's portfolio covers multiple states, but California's corruption provides the richest target. If Vance exposes the scale of waste and fraud, Newsom's presidential ambitions collapse. Crabtree reveals how utility companies responsible for deadly wildfires continue donating to Newsom's causes. PG&E and SoCal Edison funded the same $6 billion homelessness initiative that received money from Shangri-La. The Paradise fire killed 84 people in 2017. The reforms never happened. The Palisades fire burned years later. The donations never stopped. This is investigative reporting the mainstream media avoids. Follow the money from Hollywood billionaires to political elites to taxpayer-funded fraud schemes.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

A deadly federal operation turns into a political crisis in Ep. 15 of On Background, as investigative journalist Susan Crabtree and co-host Eric Eggers expose how ICE raids in Minneapolis led to violent attacks against ICE, which in turn led to two deaths, and triggered a leadership shakeup at DHS. After Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer, Secretary Kristi Noem and top aide Corey Lewandowski were summoned to the White House and sidelined as Border Czar Tom Homan seized operational control. Reporter Anna Giaritelli joins from the frozen streets of Minneapolis—where windchills hit -15°F—to describe an organized leftist resistance network of 10,000+ volunteers using whistles to alert communities when ICE arrives. What began as a crackdown on welfare fraud in the Somali immigrant community has morphed into sanctuary city warfare, with Minnesota's governor and mayor forming an alliance to push federal agents out entirely. The conversation expands to California, where Rep. Kevin Kiley reveals how the Minneapolis fraud scandal ended Tim Walz's political career and why Gavin Newsom is desperately trying to distance himself from similar corruption in the state's "homeless industrial complex"—where taxpayer money disappears at rates approaching $1 million per homeless person. Kiley exposes Newsom's Prop 50 gerrymander targeting his district and explains why this is the moment to force accountability before Democrats change the narrative. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

On this episode of On Background, hosts Susan and Eric are joined by Ryan Tucker of the Alliance Defending Freedom to discuss a disruptive protest inside a church in St. Paul/Minneapolis linked to anti-ICE activism—and the presence of Don Lemon at the scene. The group breaks down why entering a sanctuary to intimidate worshipers crosses a legal and moral line, and how federal authorities may respond. Tucker explains the possible use of the FACE Act—typically tied to abortion clinic cases—to prosecute disruptions of religious services. They also critique Minnesota officials’ response, discuss church security concerns, and argue this was a coordinated action, not spontaneous journalism.

A stunning national security scandal takes center stage in Ep. 13 of On Background, as investigative journalist Susan Crabtree breaks down a Secret Service sting that exposed shocking lapses in judgment, discipline, and leadership. Crabtree explains how an agent assigned to Vice President J.D. Vance was allegedly compromised in a honeypot operation. This raises urgent questions about manpower shortages, internal culture, and the agency’s ability to protect America’s leaders. The conversation widens to a broader crisis: ICE agents being doxxed, sensitive government information leaked, and the FBI raiding journalists’ homes in pursuit of sources. Crabtree warns that media double standards, aggressive federal tactics, and foreign adversaries exploiting internal chaos are converging at a dangerous moment. With Iran escalating threats and trust in institutions eroding, Crabtree argues the country is nearing a breaking point—and accountability may finally be unavoidable. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

Explosive fraud allegations in Minnesota and California are shaking Democratic leadership—and this episode of On Background breaks it all down. Investigative journalist Susan Crabtree explains why Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s sudden exit may be tied to massive fraud scandals and mounting political pressure from Amy Klobuchar. Then comes California, where Crabtree draws chilling parallels to Gavin Newsom, detailing alleged failures involving homelessness spending, wildfire recovery, utilities, COVID relief, and education funding. She argues that audits were blocked, accountability was avoided, and entrenched political interests benefited. In the meantime, the legacy media largely looked the other way. As federal scrutiny intensifies, Crabtree predicts 2026 will be a year of investigations, whistleblowers, and political reckoning for one-party rule. Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcast production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

In this episode of On Background, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers are joined by former FBI Special Agent Rich Staropoli to expose the catastrophic breakdown in security and leadership following the Brown University shooting. From delayed alerts and missing camera footage to the complete absence of command authority, the response was disorganized, unserious, and dangerous. Officials prioritized optics over action, messaging over manhunts, and political caution over public safety. Staropoli explains why this was not confusion but institutional failure, and why these same patterns are now spreading nationwide. This episode lays out exactly what went wrong, who is responsible, and why these failures will continue unless they are confronted directly.   Follow on X! @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcasts production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

In this episode, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers unpack the chaotic and fast-moving revelations surrounding the arrest of alleged J6 pipe bomber Brian Cole Jr. They highlight contradictions in FBI narratives, questions about the timing of the arrest after five years, and concerns about the involvement of DOJ prosecutor Jocelyn Ballantine, previously accused of attempting to coerce false confessions in Proud Boys cases. The hosts scrutinize media spin, disputed claims that Cole is a “right-wing election denier,” and potential motives that appear inconsistent with his background. They explore whistleblower leaks, possible institutional bias, and the FBI’s history of questionable investigations while stressing the need for evidence-based scrutiny. Follow on X! @JosephZieglerWB @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE 👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcasts production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

In Ep. 9, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers interview IRS whistleblower Joseph Ziegler, who helped expose the Hunter Biden tax case and testified before Congress about political interference and DOJ obstruction. Ziegler recounts early red flags, including blocked interviews, suppressed search warrants, and prosecutors removing references to “political figure one.” He explains how he and supervisor Gary Shapley became whistleblowers after being sidelined from the case and describes the retaliation, personal fallout, and political pressure they endured. Ziegler emphasizes that his actions were nonpartisan, rooted in fairness and accountability, and reveals how extensive evidence contradicted DOJ narratives. He also discusses the “deep state,” whistleblower protections, and ongoing reforms needed within federal agencies. Follow on X! @JosephZieglerWB @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE 👈   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcasts production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

In Ep. 8, Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers speak with The Federalist co-founder Sean Davis about The Federalist’s Dow Prize–winning investigation that dismantled the Russia-collusion narrative. Davis recounts early red flags surrounding the Steele dossier, CNN’s role as “patient zero,” and James Comey’s long history of manipulative tactics. He details how the media, intelligence agencies, and political operatives worked in tandem to perpetuate the hoax, destroy Michael Flynn, and target outlets like The Federalist through censorship and financial pressure. The conversation also exposes the incestuous ties within Washington’s media ecosystem and warns that the same global censorship and political-lawfare forces remain active and poised to intensify.   ==========   Follow on X! @seanmdav @susancrabtree @Eric_Eggers @Govt_Acct_Inst   ==========   Watch full episodes of On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers on the Government Accountability Institute YouTube channel.    👉 WATCH HERE 👈   ==========   On Background with Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers is an official podcasts production of the Government Accountability Institute. 

Ep. 7 of On Background examines newly uncovered social-media posts attributed to Trump shooter Thomas Crooks, which contradict initial FBI claims that he had little online presence. Hosts Susan Crabtree and Eric Eggers speak with former Secret Service agents Rich Staropoli and Frank Loveridge, who sharply criticize the FBI and Secret Service for failing to detect Crooks’ online threats and for providing inconsistent public explanations. The guests argue that political pressure, agency mismanagement, and staffing crises contributed to lapses in protective intelligence. They also question why the FBI will not clarify whether Crooks was previously on its radar and discuss broader issues of morale, corruption, and resource shortages within the Secret Service.

In this episode of On Background with Susan Crabtree, Crabtree and Eric Eggers go inside the growing clash between ICE and Border Patrol—and what it reveals about the Trump administration’s aggressive new immigration strategy. Award-winning reporter Anna Giaritelli exposes the internal power struggle shaping deportation operations, the White House pressure for mass arrests, and why millions of Hispanics are suddenly rethinking their political loyalties. She breaks down how fear-driven messaging, self-deportation claims, and agency infighting are reshaping enforcement on the ground, from Chicago to Charlotte. Giaritelli also opens up about her harrowing assault in Washington, D.C., revealing deep failures in the city’s courts and crime-reporting system. From immigration upheaval to urban safety breakdowns, this episode uncovers the forces redefining America’s security landscape.

In this episode of On Background with Susan Crabtree, Crabtree and Eric Eggers break down Gavin Newsom’s stunning victory in California’s Prop 50 election and what it means for 2028. Crabtree reveals how Newsom turned a crushing Republican defeat into a national springboard—despite his record of sky-high costs, rampant homelessness, and mass exodus from the state. They discuss how new maps could disenfranchise millions of GOP voters and set up a Supreme Court showdown. From California to New York, Crabtree and Eggers trace the Democrats’ coast-to-coast surge — and how Newsom’s political machine is already reshaping the battlefield.

In this episode of On Background with Susan Crabtree, Crabtree and Eric Eggers expose Gavin Newsom’s latest reinvention after his viral All the Smoke podcast appearance, where he claimed a blue-collar, “hustlin’” childhood. Crabtree dismantles that narrative, revealing Newsom’s lifelong ties to the Getty and Pelosi families and the elite network that built his career. The hosts also debunk Newsom’s mythic baseball backstory and uncover how his carefully crafted image masks privilege, political ambition, and manipulation ahead of a possible 2028 presidential run.

In this episode of On Background with Susan Crabtree, Crabtree and Eric Eggers uncover explosive new details about the White House cocaine scandal and expose ongoing failures inside the Secret Service. Crabtree reveals how evidence tied to “Cocaine 1600” was destroyed under Director Kimberly Cheatle, and she breaks another exclusive about an unfit agent on Vice President Kamala Harris’s detail. Former California corrections official Doug Eckenrod joins to reveal how Governor Gavin Newsom’s mass prisoner releases fueled a surge in crime, overdoses, and lawlessness across the state.

In this episode of On Background with Susan Crabtree, Crabtree and Eric Eggers investigate alarming failures inside the Secret Service and question whether DEI priorities have compromised protection. Senator Marsha Blackburn joins to demand accountability and discuss the urgent need for reform following assassination attempts on President Trump.

Welcome to On Background with Susan Crabtree, a Government Accountability Institute (GAI) podcast exposing corruption and government mismanagement through hard-hitting journalism. In the debut episode, Crabtree, Eric Eggers, and Peter Schweizer discuss her Dow Award–winning reporting, breaking news on the Palisades fire, and Gavin Newsom’s controversial Prop 50.