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Prosecuting Donald Trump

Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord discuss and dissect the cases against former President Donald Trump, including the historic indictments from the Manhattan D.A., Special Counsel Jack Smith and Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis.

The Presidency Before the Supreme Court

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 550 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 54:43

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard arguments over Donald Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, which will have implications beyond whether he is shielded from criminal prosecution in the January 6th case. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord go deep on what arguments to pay attention to. This, as the New York trial wraps up a week of testimony from former AMI CEO David Pecker. And an analysis of the latest indictment related to election interference in the 2020 election, this time from Arizona.

Live Coverage: Supreme Court Hears Trump’s Immunity Claim

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 510 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 02:42:38

Donald Trump’s lawyers argue before the Supreme Court that he should be granted immunity for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Hear every word of the oral arguments in a case with potentially huge implications for Trump, the 2024 election and the nation’s rule of law. 

Opening Statements

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 550 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 44:18

This week, Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial began in earnest with opening statements and testimony from former AMI CEO, David Pecker. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord break down the essence of the openings from both sides and how the statements will illuminate aspects of the trial in the coming weeks. Plus, Judge Merchan admonished the defense in Tuesday morning’s gag order hearing, saying that they were ‘losing all credibility’, but reserving a decision on the issue. For now. And looking ahead, Andrew and Mary weigh in on the questions they hope to hear in Thursday’s oral arguments before the Supreme Court to decide whether Donald Trump’s presidential immunity claim holds water.For further reading: here is the article Andrew wrote with his colleague Ryan Goodman in Just Security Questions the Supreme Court Should Ask at Thursday’s Oral Argument on Presidential ImmunityAnd a sincere thanks to all our listeners for voting in the Webby Awards! Prosecuting Donald Trump won the 2024 Webby Awards for both the Crime & Justice podcast category and was the Crime & Justice People's Voice winner.

The Jury Is Seated, with Readings from Robert De Niro and Glenn Close

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 490 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 40:47

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.

In a Manhattan Courtroom

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 520 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 45:35

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 De Niro 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.

Live Coverage: New York v. Donald Trump

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 490 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 01:27:18

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.

BONUS: The Stakes of Immigration with Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 450 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 01:08:52

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

History in the Making

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 520 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 51:04

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.

The Fair Administration of Justice

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 470 views
  • 7 months ago
  • 46:46

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.

The Trump Indictments, read by Peter Coyote and Renée Elise Goldsberry

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 550 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 52:03

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.

The Trump Indictments, read by Glenn Close and Liam Neeson

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 640 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 49:49

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. 

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 540 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 51:49

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.

Live Coverage: The Trump Indictments

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 550 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 46:54

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.

Immunity Take Two... and Three

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 500 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 39:41

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.  

Troupis, Chesebro & Trump

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 540 views
  • 8 months ago
  • 40:58

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.

Of Presidents & Kings

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 820 views
  • about 1 year ago
  • 39:48

A hugely consequential week ahead for Donald Trump as a trial in CO begins to determine if he’s eligible to be president again after Jan. 6th. Plus, he and his 3 oldest kids get set to testify over the next week in the NY fraud trial that threatens their business empire. Plus, the former dean of NYU Law School, Trevor Morrison, joins Andrew & Mary for an in-depth look at Trump’s attempt to dismiss the DC election interference case against him over claims of presidential immunity.

Domino Effect

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 750 views
  • about 1 year ago
  • 35:45

In this emergency episode, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord dig into the explosive development that Mark Meadows was reportedly granted an immunity deal in the federal election case – and what it could mean for Donald Trump. Plus, another ex-Trump lawyer pleads guilty in GA and pledges her full cooperation -- on the same day Michael Cohen lobs bombshell after bombshell from the witness stand in Trump’s NY civil fraud trial.

Trump’s New Legal Peril

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 750 views
  • about 1 year ago
  • 36:03

Donald Trump raising some eyebrows after claiming Sidney Powell was never his attorney. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord dig into what that could mean for his defense. Plus, Trump’s fraud trial resumes in NY this week after the judge threatened to throw him in jail the next time he violates a partial gag order.

D.C. Gag Order

Prosecuting Donald Trump

  • 690 views
  • about 1 year ago
  • 31:49

A federal judge has barred Donald Trump from attacking witnesses, prosecutors and court staff in his D.C. election interference trial. This is the second protective order issued against the former president in just two weeks. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord dig into that -- plus, why everyone should be keeping a close eye on the GA trial for two of Trump’s co-defendants.