The Trump Trials: Sidebar

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, James Hohmann and JM Rieger discuss Vice President Harris's sudden entrance into the 2024 presidential race, Democrats' huge fundraising haul in the days since, and who Harris might consider as her running mate.Plus, the crew recaps where each of former president Donald Trump's legal cases stand, and breaks down Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance's tough week.

Ava Wallace, sports reporter at The Washington Post, is in France to report on the Summer Games — and eat a lot of croissants. Join her starting July 24, continuing through the entire run of the games, for several episodes a week as she captures the highs, the lows and the Paris of it all, along with other Post colleagues.Follow The Sports Moment podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube. Sign up for The Sports Moment: Olympics Edition newsletter here.

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin, James Hohmann and JM Rieger gather to react to President Biden's exit from the presidential race, what it means for Democrats, and what happens next.And is Vice President Harris already a shoo-in to succeed Biden as Democratic nominee? The crew dives into Harris's quick succession of endorsements, and previews the Democratic National Convention looming in four weeks.Plus, how are Republicans reacting? 

This week, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann report from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump officially became the 2024 Republican presidential nominee just days after the shooting at his rally in Butler, Pa.The crew discusses Trump's nomination speech, the momentum his campaign seems to have gained, and what might happen next in the presidential campaign. And Trump's legal cases in Florida and New York are still delayed.Plus, Washington Post Universe stars Dave Jorgenson and Joseph Ferguson join the show, revealing how social media has taken over political conventions.

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the breaking news of Trump's pick for his vice-presidential running mate, Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R).Plus, the crew dives into Judge Aileen Cannon's decision to dismiss special counsel Jack Smith's case against Trump in Florida, where the former president is charged with illegally retaining classified documents after his presidency.

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey sits down with Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann to talk about the continued ripple effects of the Supreme Court's immunity decision, which meant Trump's scheduled sentencing for his New York conviction is delayed.And it isn't just the New York case; there are also delays in his Florida and Washington, D.C. cases.Plus, the Republican National Convention is next week, and Trump still hasn't named a vice-presidential nominee. The crew previews the convention, and who might appear onstage as Trump's running mate.

On this special bonus episode, The Washington Post's Rhonda Colvin sits down with senior video journalist JM Rieger, columnist James Hohmann, video journalist Blair Guild and law enforcement reporter Tom Jackman to discuss the historic Supreme Court ruling that gives former president Trump – and every president – broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. The crew breaks down what the court's ruling means for Trump and his ongoing legal cases, what actually constitutes an official act, and how it might affect some of the charges filed against him. Plus, how does all of this affect the presidential campaign?And don't forget, the sentencing hearing for Trump's New York case – in which he was convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying documents – is set for next week.

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey is joined by James Hohmann, Rhonda Colvin and JM Rieger to discuss the first presidential debate. The crew breaks down President Biden's shaky performance, how Trump addressed his felony conviction and ongoing legal issues, and how the debate could affect the presidential race.Plus, the Supreme Court has ruled on a key case brought by a Jan. 6 defendant who argued he shouldn't have been charged with obstructing an official proceeding. The crew analyzes how Trump’s legal team may use the decision to try to whittle down one of his criminal cases.

On this week's episode, the crew discusses former president Donald Trump's upcoming busy month, from Supreme Court decisions to the first presidential debate.The Washington Post's Libby Casey sits down with senior video journalist JM Rieger to discuss the Supreme Court and several Trump-related cases that could be decided in the coming days – and how the decisions the court makes could reshape presidential power in America.Then, national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf joins the show to discuss Trump's campaign trail rhetoric, and what to expect from his debate with President Biden next week.

On this week's episode, The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann sit down with reporters Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein, co-authors of The Trump Trials newsletter, to discuss where things stand on former president Donald Trump's many legal issues.First up: What did Trump hope to accomplish in his first return to Capitol Hill since the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol? Plus, a breakdown of Trump's schedule over the next few months, from the sentencing hearing for his New York conviction, the upcoming debate against President Biden, and the Republican National Convention in July.And what's going on with Trump's indictments in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.? Devlin and Perry provide insights into the motions, hearings and judicial decisions that are shaping each of Trump's cases.

The Washington Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann discuss the fallout from former president Donald Trump's New York trial, in which he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. In the week since his conviction, Trump has raised a huge amount of money, and received the public backing of most prominent elected Republicans. He's scheduled to be sentenced on July 11.And looming over all of it is the Supreme Court, which can't overturn Trump's New York conviction, but is still weighing his appeal that he should be immune from federal prosecution for crimes allegedly committed while president.Plus, the crew provides an update on the other legal cases Trump still faces.Keep track of all of the Trump cases in The Trump Trials newsletter.

On this bonus episode, the crew reacts to the guilty verdict against Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to an adult-film actress. The Washington Post's Libby Casey and James Hohmann, with Rhonda Colvin outside the Manhattan courthouse, are joined by special guests Dan Balz, chief correspondent, and Robin Givhan, senior critic-at-large.Plus, will Trump go to jail? Can he still run for president – and can he vote for himself?Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter, or follow our ongoing coverage here.

This week, the crew discusses the closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense in Trump's New York trial. Justice Department reporter Perry Stein joins Libby Casey and James Hohmann in the studio, while Rhonda Colvin reports from outside the Manhattan courthouse.Plus, what were the legal instructions that Justice Juan Merchan gave the jury?And when there's a verdict, join us on WashingtonPost.com for live video coverage. A new episode of The Trump Trials: Sidebar will publish soon after the verdict is read, and you can keep up with The Post's ongoing coverage in The Trump Trials newsletter.

This week, the crew dives into the strongest parts of the prosecution's case against former president Donald Trump in his New York Trial – and the parts of the case that might not be as strong.Law enforcement reporters Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett join the show to break down what will happen after the jury returns from a full week off from the trial: Final arguments, jury instructions, and then jury deliberations.Plus, what are the possible outcomes when the jury returns a verdict?Follow more of The Washington Post's coverage of Trump's New York trial here. You can also sign up for The Post's weekly Trump Trials newsletter here.

This week, the crew discusses former Trump attorney Michael Cohen's testimony and cross-examination by defense lawyers – and whether Cohen ended up being the star witness prosecutors hoped for.Law enforcement reporter Tom Jackman joins the show to discuss what he's seen in court, whether the jury is likely to believe Cohen's testimony, and the tight-rope Justice Juan Merchan has walked in trying to control Trump.Plus, a whole host of Republican politicians have attended court this week to support Trump. Why are they there, and what are they accomplishing?Follow more of The Washington Post's coverage of Trump's New York trial here. You can also sign up for The Post's weekly Trump Trials newsletter here.

The crew gathers for a special Monday episode all about former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who was called to testify in Trump's New York trial by prosecutors on Monday morning.Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with political investigations reporter Peter Jamison to discuss Cohen's past as Trump's self-described "fixer," and Cohen's claims that he has changed since leaving Trump's employment.Plus, national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett returns to the show to discuss why Cohen is one of the key witnesses in the New York trial.Read more about Cohen's bizarre appearances on TikTok here.

On this week's episode, the crew discusses adult film actress Stormy Daniels' testimony about her sexual encounter with the former president, and whether the prosecution went too far in asking for specific details. And senior video journalist Jorge Ribas joins the show from outside the Manhattan courthouse where the trial is taking place, to reveal what it's like covering the trial and what reporters can actually see.Plus, video journalist Blair Guild joins the show to break down former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's regular TikTok live broadcasts – a surprising move from one of the prosecution's key witnesses.You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

In this week's episode, the crew discusses Judge Juan Merchan's finding that former president Donald Trump is in contempt of court, the $9,000 fine he faces, and what could happen if he continues violating the gag order imposed by the court. Washington Post Senior National Political Correspondent Ashley Parker joins the show to talk about Hope Hicks, the former Trump aide who could be called to testify soon.

In this week's episode, the crew discusses what's happened in former president Donald Trump's New York trial so far – and what we're hearing from witnesses.Washington Post reporter Devlin Barrett returns to take us inside the courtroom, while senior video journalist JM Rieger analyzes Trump's repetitive, falsehood-filled statements outside the courtroom.Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter.

At the start of Trump's Manhattan criminal trial, the court needs 12 jurors and six alternates – but many times that number have been dismissed, for a whole variety of reasons, some mundane and others surprising. Seven have been sworn in so far, including a foreman. In our second episode, the crew discusses the jurors selected during the first two days in court.Plus, the dynamic between Trump's lawyers, Judge Juan Merchan and the former president himself is getting tense, with Merchan sternly warning Trump not to gesture at or speak to potential jurors.And is Trump having trouble staying awake at times? Washington Post national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett - an author of our sister newsletter, The Trump Trials - joins the show to reveal what it's like covering the trial from inside the courthouse.