Prosecuting Donald Trump

A recurring theme in Michael Cohen’s testimony this week was his evolving moral compass. Analyzing the last day of direct examination, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord draw out some distinctions to be mindful of, and what the intense cross examination from defense attorney Todd Blanche was alluding to. In their estimation, the state will need to address Cohen’s inconsistencies in redirect and closing arguments. Lastly, Andrew and Mary sum up what to expect next week as the trial likely moves to summations.

With Michael Cohen testifying in the New York criminal trial this week, MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord take stock of the style and the substance of the assertions made by Trump’s former lawyer and ‘fixer’. Andrew was in the courtroom for the first day of Michael Cohen’s testimony and shares some first-person impressions as the prosecution continues to lay out the case. And he and Mary answer some listener questions on absent witnesses and the Speedy Trial Act.

We head into the “eye of the storm” as MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord explore the nature of Stormy Daniel’s testimony in depth, and why her credibility is less at issue than that of others who facilitated the hush payments to her. Then, they turn their prosecutorial expertise to understanding why the defense’s mistrial motion was denied by Judge Merchan. And lastly, Andrew and Mary detail what to glean from Judge Cannon’s indefinite postponement of the classified documents trial in Florida.

As witness testimony continues today with Stormy Daniels in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial, jurors also recently heard from former Trump advisor Hope Hicks and longtime Trump Organization controller Jeff McConney. After trading some testimony takeaways, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord get nerdy on the significance of exhibits 35 and 36. Plus, Judge Merchan gives a sober warning to Mr. Trump as he rules on another gag order violation. And an update on the Florida classified documents case.For further reading: Here are exhibits 35 and 36 that Andrew and Mary refer to in this episode.

As week three of Donald Trump’s criminal trial wraps up in New York, Andrew Weissmann paints a first-hand picture of the scene—both outside and inside the courtroom — after attending on Thursday. Then, he and fellow MSNBC legal analyst Mary McCord recount the gist of Keith Davidson’s testimony and cross-examination. And Andrew and Mary answer listener questions about the trial.For further reading: Here is the decision Andrew referenced of a 2020 order granting attorney fees between Stephanie Clifford and Donald J Trump. As he noted, page 20 is relevant. 

Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial is back in session Tuesday, as Judge Merchan fines Trump $9000 for gag order violations. Last week, David Pecker wrapped up his testimony, detailing the catch and kill scheme, and jurors also heard from Trump’s assistant, Rhona Graff, and bank executive Gary Farro. After examining the art of cross-examination, veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord note the options available to Judge Merchan as he hears a second set of alleged gag order violations this Thursday. Plus: what Walt Nauta’s grand jury testimony indicates in the Florida documents case.For further reading: here is Judge Merchan’s decision on the first set of gag order motions.

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.

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. 

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 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.