Prosecuting Donald Trump

The twelve-person jury has been seated in the New York criminal case against Donald Trump. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail the latest alleged gag order violations and give insights into the jury selection process. Then, they analyze District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s own words, through his Statement of Facts submitted in the State of New York against Donald J Trump, with excerpts read by acclaimed actors Glenn Close and Robert De Niro.

On Monday, jury selection began in what is the first and potentially only criminal trial former President Trump may face before the November election. Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail the jury selection process and what to track about the motions being filed, including one to hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order. And they look at arguments before the Supreme Court in the Fischer case, in which a January 6th rioter is challenging a lower court ruling that he obstructed an official proceeding.A very special thanks to renowned actor Robert DeNiro for reading an excerpt from the New York criminal indictment. You’ll hear his voice throughout the trial as relevant portions of these documents arise.Also, a reminder that Prosecuting Donald Trump and Into America have been nominated for Webby Awards! And MSNBC needs your help to win. Voting is open until April 18th. Check out vote.webbyawards.com to vote for both shows.

After the first day of jury selection in the New York criminal case before Judge Juan Merchan, Ari Melber leads special coverage on what’s at stake and what to expect in the coming weeks. This is the first-ever criminal trial of a former president, and to break down the historic significance, Ari is joined by Rachel Maddow, Andrew Weissmann, and other special guests. Listen to the full coverage here.

As a bonus for listeners, we’re sharing the first episode of a special series from “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast,” called “WITHpod 2024: The Stakes.” For the first time since 1892, we have an election in which both candidates have presidential records. It’s a unique chance to take a hard look at what both Joe Biden and Donald Trump have actually done as president. Chris Hayes talks to experts about both candidates’ records on specific policy areas. This week, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, joins to unpack immigration policies under Trump vs. Biden, the state of the asylum system, and more. Follow and listen to the whole series: https://link.chtbl.com/withpod_tsfd

Donald Trump is on the precipice of his New York criminal trial, a historical first for a former president. Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord give a primer on the who, what, when, where and why of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case, as both sides prep for jury selection. Then they head to Florida, where tensions are elevated between Special Counsel Jack Smith and Judge Aileen Cannon over jury instructions and Judge Cannon’s handling of that case. For further reading, as Andrew and Mary mentioned in this episode, here are United States District Judge Royce Lamberth’s Notes for Sentencing for a defendant named Taylor James Johnatakis. Johnatakis was sentenced to 87 months for his role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.Also, a reminder that Prosecuting Donald Trump and Into America have been nominated for Webby Awards! And MSNBC needs your help to win. Check out vote.webbyawards.com to vote for both shows.

With the New York trial looming, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord set the table for what to expect: anticipating more delay tactics from Trump’s legal team, and the importance of Judge Merchan’s gag order reinforcement and clarification. They also look at several bar hearings held to decide whether John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark, among others, should lose their law licenses after their efforts to subvert the 2020 election results. For further reading, here is the Just Security article Andrew referenced in this episode: Trump’s Promise to Free Jan. 6 Inmates in DC Jail — Almost All of Them Assaulted Law Enforcement Officers.Also, some exciting news! Prosecuting Donald Trump and Into America have been nominated for Webby Awards! And MSNBC needs your help to win. Check out vote.webbyawards.com to vote for both shows.

Former President Trump was back in a New York courtroom on Monday, as Judge Merchan set a mid-April trial date for the hush money case against him brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord set expectations as the countdown to jury selection begins. Then, they turn to the appeals court decision, where Trump’s bond payment was reduced to $175 million in the New York civil fraud case. Lastly, Andrew and Mary survey what to keep an eye on at the Supreme Court when it comes to his appeal on presidential immunity.

Veteran federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann welcomes back his colleague and co-author Melissa Murray for the second in this special two-part series of Prosecuting Donald Trump. Their book: The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary, collects the four unprecedented indictments against Donald Trump and features extensive commentary from the co-authors.Andrew and Melissa share some takeaways from the Florida classified documents case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith and the Georgia election interference case brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Both are criminal indictments facing the former president.This episode also features excerpts from these two indictments, read by renowned actors Peter Coyote and Renée Elise Goldsberry.

Veteran federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann welcomes his colleague and co-author Melissa Murray for a special two-part episode of Prosecuting Donald Trump. Their new book: The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary, collects the four unprecedented indictments against Donald Trump and features extensive footnotes, commentary and a cast of characters from the co-authors.In this first episode, Andrew and Melissa listen to audio of the indictments as recorded by acclaimed actors Glenn Close and Liam Neeson. Andrew and Melissa share insights from two of the four criminal indictments facing the former president: the DC election interference case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, and the New York case against Donald Trump, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 

Delays persist in several of the cases against former president Trump, including in the New York case that was set to begin next week. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail what led to the delay in receiving documents from the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan. They also review Judge Cannon’s decision on Trump’s motion to dismiss the Florida documents case based on ‘vagueness’ in the Espionage Act. Then, Andrew and Mary turn to the Georgia ruling that led to the resignation of lead prosecutor Nathan Wade. Plus, Monday's news that the former president can’t find an insurance company to underwrite his $464 Million bond for the judgement in his NY civil fraud case.

Tonight on MSNBC’s one hour special on “The Trump Indictments:” MSNBC Legal Analysts Andrew Weissmann and Melissa Murray cover the latest developments in Donald Trump's criminal cases and reflect on whether the American justice system has so far proven it can meet the challenge of Donald Trump’s attempts to destroy democracy. Also, Rep. Jaime Raskin explains the anti-democratic tactics Trump and Republicans are using to influence the 2024 election. Plus, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes weighs in on the media's role in the event that the voters get to render a verdict on Donald Trump before a jury does. Also joining the conversation: Melissa Redmon, Amy Lee Copeland, Leah Litman and Kate Shaw.

In a last-ditch effort to delay, delay, delay- Donald Trump’s legal team submitted a motion on Monday to pause the New York trial on election interference (a.k.a. the ‘hush money’ case) until the Supreme Court decides on immunity. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord break that down, and how it differs from the motion to dismiss the Florida classified documents case. Then, they highlight the $91 million bond posted by the former president in the E. Jean Carroll case, as he appeals that decision. And a look behind the curtain as Special Counsel Robert Hur testifies before the House Judiciary Committee about his report on Biden’s handling of classified documents. Lastly, on the radar: an Arizona grand jury issues subpoenas in that states’ fake elector scheme.  

After the settlement in Wisconsin over the fraudulent electors scheme, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord analyze the importance of what came to light as a result of the litigation against James Troupis, Kenneth Chesebro and 10 ‘alternate’ electors. Mary was part of the team arguing the case and gives expansive context to the ongoing efforts to overturn the 2020 election. They then turn to the Supreme Court’s decision on the Colorado ballot issue, and why, despite a unanimous vote, there may be dissension in the ranks. And they wrap up with a look at the timing of the Florida documents case and Trump’s former CFO Allen Weisselberg’s guilty plea on federal perjury charges.

The Supreme Court of the United States announced Wednesday that they'll take up former President Donald Trump’s claims for immunity, throwing yet another delay into Trump’s DC trial. Veteran prosecutors Mary McCord and Andrew Weissmann explain the High Court’s order, what options the justices have, and what Special Counsel Jack Smith can do to get to trial before the election.

The nation continues to watch for a decision from the Supreme Court on both the Colorado ballot issue and Trump’s presidential immunity claim. In the meantime, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail the flurry of motions filed by Trump’s lawyers in the Florida classified documents case in an effort to have the case thrown out. This, as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed his own motions, including asking for a partial gag to keep the former president from talking about witnesses, potential jurors and court staff. Plus: Andrew and Mary catch up on dual decisions from Judge Engoron and Judge Kaplan denying Trump a stay of judgement in his civil trials, meaning he’s got 30 days to pay, or the plaintiffs can start seizing assets.

Court watchers are closely monitoring two decisions from the Supreme Court: a ruling on Trump’s motion to stay the decision on immunity from the DC Circuit and whether the former president is disqualified from appearing on Colorado primary ballot. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail what to watch for there, and review Judge Engoron’s nearly $450 million decision in the civil fraud case. Plus: takeaways from the testimony of Fani Willis and Nathan Wade late last week. 

Judge Arthur Engoron has fined Donald Trump more than $350 million in damages in the former president's civil fraud case. Trump is also barred him from running businesses in New York for three years. Trump said on Friday that he would appeal the decision. Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell join for a special episode of Alex Wagner Tonight to discuss the ruling. For more coverage, visit msnbc.com.

In a last-ditch effort for total immunity, former President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to pause proceedings in the DC election subversion case while the high court decides whether to take up his appeal. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord discuss the merits of Trump’s arguments and how the court may proceed. They also weigh in on the latest out of Judge Cannon’s Florida courtroom, as a flurry of activity is happening in the classified documents case.

Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord gather for an additional episode this week to share their insights and takeaways from Thursday’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court. At issue: whether former President Trump can be barred from Colorado’s Republican primary ballot due to the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause. Then, a review of Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on the classified documents found in President Biden’s possession, and why, despite no charges filed against him, the report may be damaging.

The Supreme Court heard arguments today in the unprecedented case that could threaten former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the primary ballot in Colorado. Listen to the full hearing here.