The Political Junkie Ken Rudin is turning his analytical gaze west. Known to NPR listeners from his many years talking all things politics with Neal Conan on "Talk of the Nation," he joins Insight host Beth Ruyak for our signature segment that puts California politics in the context of the national scene. Rudin joins us from Washington D.C. in an effort to put it all in perspective.

This week Ken Rudin looks ahead to Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 27.  NPR is planning to offer full-day coverage of the hearings. Cohen is also expected to answer questions behind closed doors for the Senate and House Intelligence committees later this week. He will likely answer questions about his work as President Donald Trump’s fixer, but lawmakers have agreed to limit the scope of their inquiry in deference of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into the Trump campaign.

You can listen to Cohen's testimony live on CapRadio's airwaves, and we will also have the hearing streaming live on our site.

Also, Ken Rudin discusses reporting on President Trump’s efforts to thwart Mueller's investigation. Last week, the New York Times broke a story on President Trump’s hybrid legal and public relations strategy of attacking the credibility of people and institutions investigating his conduct. The story put the White House on the defensive, and Democrats have renewed calls to expand congressional inquiries into the executive branch.