Breakdown: The Trump Indictment

The latest episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast focuses on a First Amendment challenge by former President Donald Trump’s lead attorney. Lawyer Steve Sadow argues at a hearing that Trump should not be prosecuted for core political speech. Fulton County prosecutor Donald Wakeford counters that the former president is not being prosecuted just for what he said, but for engaging in a pattern of criminal conduct to interfere with the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Episode 38 – “The Appeal” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also looks at attempts by the defense to get the Georgia Court of Appeals to take a pretrial challenge to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis and her office. And jury expert Denise de la Rue considers the ramifications in Fulton County of the upcoming hush money trial against Trump in New York. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast answers several questions from listeners. A possible trial date, the ongoing appeal and a potential replacement for former special prosecutor Nathan Wade are among the topics of discussion. Episode 37 – “Your Burning Questions” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also considers the presidential immunity claims being pursued in Washington and in Fulton County by former President Donald Trump. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lawyer who filed the motion to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis sits for an interview for Breakdown. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant explains her motivations for filing the motion and gives her reactions to Willis’ surprise testimony at the evidentiary hearing. Episode 36 – “Merchant Speaks Out” – is the most recent installment of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast. The episode also covers a recent decision by Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee that allows lawyers for former President Donald Trump and seven of his co-defendants to pursue an appeal of the judge’s recent decision denying the motion to disqualify Willis. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast covers Judge Scott McAfee’s decision as to whether District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from the election interference case. McAfee, in a 23-page order, didn’t decide the issue. Instead, the judge left it up to the district attorney to decide which course to take. And McAfee had a harsh assessment of Willis’ and special prosecutor Nathan Wade’s conduct. The 35th episode – “Fani’s Choice” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also notes that the day before he issued his disqualification decision, McAfee dismissed six of the 41 felony counts against former President Donald Trump and his 14 remaining co-defendants. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breakdown’s last episode covered the highlights of the closing arguments made by the defense and prosecution as to why Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should or should not be removed from the election interference case. In Episode 34 – “The Cases for Keeping or Disqualifying” – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast lets two legal experts – Norm Eisen and Andrew Fleischman -- give their own closings as to why they think Willis should remain on the case or be kicked off it.  The latest episode of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also notes that Willis has picked up challengers to her reelection and that Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee also has a challenger. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A showdown of closing arguments as to whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should or should not be disqualified from the election interference case is the focus of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s most recent Breakdown podcast. Episode 33 – “The Closings” – of Breakdown’s 10th season – “The Trump Indictment” – sets up what could be a seminal moment in the case against former President Donald Trump and 14 remaining co-defendants. That’s when Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee decides whether to remove Willis or allow the case to go forward as it has been proceeding so far. Five defense attorneys argue Willis’ alleged conflict of interest because of her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade warrants her disqualification. Deputy Assistant District Attorney Adam Abbate, arguing with Willis sitting behind him at the prosecution table, contends there has been no proof that Willis financially benefited from the Trump case. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts and Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former law partner and divorce lawyer of special prosecutor Nathan Wade takes the witness stand once again after the judge finds he can talk about what he learned about Wade’s and District Attorney Fani Willis’ romantic relationship. But attorney Terrence Bradley doesn’t say what defense attorneys in the election interference case want to hear. So Episode 32 – “No Star Witness” – of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast features withering examinations of Bradley by a number of defense lawyers. The episode also recaps cellphone data analysis that former President Donald Trump’s lawyers seek to get admitted into evidence. The cellphone records raise fresh questions about Willis’ and Wade’s relationship and when it began. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most recent Breakdown episode by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution dissects the recent evidentiary hearing on the motion to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office from the election interference case. The hearing has enough twists and turns to be an episode of a telenovela. Episode 31 – “Under The Microscope” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – includes testimony from Willis, special prosecutor Nathan Wade and his former law partner, Terrence Bradley, who had been billed at the defense’s star witness. Allegations from both sides fly back and forth by throughout the hearing. And it features testimony by a former Georgia governor and Willis’ father, John Clifford Floyd III. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the future of Fulton County’s election interference case on the line, District Attorney Fani Willis took the stand to fight back against misconduct allegations. Defiant, emotional, angry and sometimes even funny, Willis’ testimony was both remarkable and surprising as she pushed back against accusations that could disqualify her and her office from prosecuting former President Donald Trump and his 14 remaining codefendants. The most recent episode, “Fani Willis Takes the Stand,” of Season 10 — “The Trump Indictment” — of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast analyzes Willis’ combative courtroom appearance. The episode also looks at the testimony of special prosecutor Nathan Wade and Robin Bryant Yeartie, a former friend of Willis and ex-employee of the DA’s office, who contradicted Wade and Willis’ account of when their relationship began. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The judge overseeing the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 14 others has cleared the way for what could be an explosive hearing focusing on the personal relationship between the district attorney and her special prosecutor. The most recent episode – “Setting the Table” – of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast sets up the upcoming evidentiary hearing. The episode also focuses on the most recent court filing by defendant Michael Roman’s attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, and District Attorney Fani Willis’ attempt to quash subpoenas served on her and her staff. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The accusations against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis continue to get increasingly personal in nature since her acknowledgment of her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The latest episode of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast covers more motions that call for Willis’ disqualification from the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 14 co-defendants. Episode 28 – “Getting Personal” – also includes interviews with legal experts who give their takes on what has happened since the first motion to disqualify Willis was filed on Jan. 8. And it makes note of the historic ruling by the federal appeals court in Washington, rejecting Trump’s claims of presidential immunity. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast covers the highly anticipated response by the District Attorney’s Office to allegations DA Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade were having an improper romantic relationship. The court filing is at times pointed and blistering and it is highly critical and dismissive of the motion to disqualify Willis and her office from prosecuting the case against former President Donald Trump and 15 remaining co-defendants. “The Response” is the 27th episode of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment.” The DA’s response also answers the question as to whether Willis and Wade did indeed have more than just a professional relationship. And it gets a quick – and powerful – reply from Ashleigh Merchant, the lawyer who represents defendant Michael Roman and first lodged the allegations. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most recent episode of Breakdown covers developments inside and outside of court in the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and 14 remaining co-defendants. And the motion to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis because of her alleged inappropriate romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade continues to loom over the case. Episode 26 – “Piling On” – of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on motions filed by Trump’s attorney and by attorneys for another co-defendant that join the effort to disqualify Willis. The episode also includes an interview with the lawyer who represents Wade’s estranged wife and who says a motion to quash a subpoena by Willis’ lawyer was a big mistake. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A hearing on a motion to prevent Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from giving a sworn deposition in the divorce case involving special prosecutor Nathan Wade is a focus of the most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Henry Thompson convenes an emergency hearing on the request and also considers a motion to unseal Wade’s divorce file. The 25th episode – “Wade v. Wade” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also includes interviews of legal experts who weigh in on the allegations Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade had an improper romantic relationship and whether the DA’s office should be disqualified from the election interference case. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis gives an impassioned and defiant speech before a congregation at the historic Big Bethel AME Church, defending the man a court motion contends is involved in an improper, romantic relationship with the DA. Willis’ response to the bombshell allegations is the focus of the most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast. Episode 24 – “Firing Back From The Pulpit” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers a court hearing in which the allegations are brought up before the judge overseeing the case. Also, legal experts give their takes on the court motion filed by attorney Ashleigh Merchant on behalf of Trump co-defendant Michael Roman. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The allegations are salacious: arguably the most famous district attorney in the country hired her romantic partner to help prosecute a former president and then profited from the arrangement. An eye-popping, explosive court motion filed on behalf of one of Donald Trump’s lesser-known defendants is the focus of the most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast. Episode 23 – “Bombshell Allegations” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – explains the court motion filed by attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who represents defendant Michael Roman. It also looks at the fallout after the filing became public, both on the legal landscape and in the political arena. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are single-sentence apology letters a sign of true remorse? The latest episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast explores the meaning of apology letters written by three of the four defendants who have pleaded guilty in the Fulton County election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others. The apology letters were a condition imposed by District Attorney Fani Willis for the plea deals. Two of the letters, written by attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell, are just a single sentence. “Sorry, Not Sorry” – Episode 22 of Breakdown’s Season 10, “The Trump Indictment” – also reports on oral arguments before the federal appeals court in Atlanta, which considered a request from former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to transfer his case from Fulton Superior Court to federal court a few blocks away. And the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to the surprise of many, handed down its decision just three days after a three-judge panel heard the arguments. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast includes a wide-ranging interview with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.   Willis shares her thoughts on many aspects of the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others. She also opens up about her possible political aspirations after serving as Fulton’s DA.   Episode 21 – “A Conversation With DA Willis” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also catches listeners up on the ongoing defamation trial filed by two former Fulton County poll workers against Trump’s former personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani.   You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Breakdown” podcast focuses on the interaction between the judge, Donald Trump’s attorney and the prosecution over the possibility of the trial being held next August. Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, making his courtroom debut, contends having the trial at that time would constitute election interference. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade disagrees. And Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has questions he wants answered. “Election Interference?” – Episode 20 of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers social media posts by defendant Trevian Kutti that some legal experts say could get her bond revoked and land her in jail. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fani Willis makes a fiery courtroom debut in the latest episode of "Breakdown: The Trump Indictment." In episode 19, "Walking the Line," we'll take you inside the Fulton County courthouse to hear Willis argue that bond should be revoked for a Donald Trump co-defendant who had been repeatedly attacking potential witnesses on social media. Harrison Floyd has been one of the most combative defendants in the case, and his lawyers argued that while he "walked up close to the line," his posts were protected free speech. Hear what Judge Scott McAfee had to say on the matter and how it could provide a sneak peek of the battle to come with another social media fan - Trump. You can follow the Breakdown podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices