In this special episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast, hosts Tamar Hallerman and Shaddi Abusaid look at the trial of former DA Jackie Johnson, who was accused of meddling in the local police department’s investigation of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder five years ago to protect her former employee. In a rare move, the longtime prosecutor was charged by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office with obstructing police and violating her oath of office in the aftermath of the 25-year-o...
Feb 14, 2025•25 min•Season 8Ep. 20
The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast looks at the elections of two of the most prominent players in the racketeering conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump. District Attorney Fani Willis faces a challenge in the Democratic primary and Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is being challenged in a non-partisan race to be decided on May 21. Episode 41 – “Goodbye For Now” – also takes a brief trip down memory lane, hitting some of the highlights...
May 20, 2024•32 min•Season 10Ep. 41
The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast explores the ramifications of the Georgia Court of Appeals decision to hear the defense’s challenge to disqualify Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the case. About six weeks after being asked to decide the issue, the appeals court said it would take it up. This almost certainly means yet another lengthy delay to the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his remaining 14 c...
May 09, 2024•21 min•Season 10Ep. 40
The most recent episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast focuses on the presidential immunity arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court. How the nation’s highest court decides the issue – whether former President Donald Trump has absolute immunity from prosecution – directly impacts the election interference case brought against him in Fulton County. Episode 39 – “The Case is Submitted” – of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers a highly unusual appear...
Apr 30, 2024•33 min•Season 10Ep. 39
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. ...
Apr 11, 2024•24 min•Season 10Ep. 38
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...
Mar 29, 2024•31 min•Season 10Ep. 37
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 Superio...
Mar 26, 2024•44 min•Season 10Ep. 36
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 Breakdow...
Mar 16, 2024•23 min•Season 10Ep. 35
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 ...
Mar 11, 2024•42 min•Season 10Ep. 34
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 deci...
Mar 07, 2024•48 min•Season 10Ep. 33
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 witherin...
Feb 29, 2024•31 min•Season 10Ep. 32
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 Br...
Feb 23, 2024•57 min•Season 10Ep. 31
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 1...
Feb 16, 2024•25 min•Season 10Ep. 30
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 ...
Feb 14, 2024•21 min•Season 10Ep. 29
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” ...
Feb 08, 2024•31 min•Season 10Ep. 28
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-defendan...
Feb 05, 2024•25 min•Season 10Ep. 27
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 fi...
Feb 02, 2024•33 min•Season 10Ep. 26
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...
Jan 25, 2024•40 min•Season 10Ep. 25
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 cover...
Jan 19, 2024•33 min•Season 10Ep. 24
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 co...
Jan 11, 2024•24 min•Season 10Ep. 23
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 Sid...
Dec 21, 2023•41 min•Season 10Ep. 22
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...
Dec 14, 2023•48 min•Season 10Ep. 21
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?” – Epi...
Dec 06, 2023•35 min•Season 10Ep. 20
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 pro...
Nov 29, 2023•26 min•Season 10Ep. 19
In this bonus episode of “Breakdown,” two legal veterans analyze the latest developments in Fulton County’s election subversion case against Donald Trump and his supporters. Former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter and Atlanta defense attorney Bob Rubin discuss whether we are likely to see more plea deals. They also give us their opinions of those apology letters the district attorney demanded and tell us what it’s really like to try a long complicated criminal case. The episode inc...
Nov 20, 2023•49 min•Season 10Ep. 18
This episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Breakdown podcast focuses on the videotaped interviews with Fulton County prosecutors by the four defendants who had struck plea deals. After the so-called proffers by Sydney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro and Scott Hall became public, the District Attorney's Office called for a sealing of all documents turned over in discovery and suggested one of the 15 remaining defendants was to blame for the leak. During her lengthy interview, Powell...
Nov 17, 2023•38 min•Season 10Ep. 17
The latest Breakdown episode includes an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mark Niesse, who explains the GBI investigation of the data breach in South Georgia’s Coffee County. Niesse, who covers voting for the newspaper, recaps a yearlong investigation into the Jan. 7, 2021, data breach. He summarizes highlights taken from an almost 400-page GBI investigative report, which was recently obtained by the AJC. “The Fraud Hunters” – Episode 16 of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Ind...
Nov 09, 2023•43 min•Season 10Ep. 16
The latest Breakdown episode includes an exclusive interview with the lawyer who represents Jenna Ellis, who once represented former President Donald Trump and who entered a guilty plea in the Fulton County election interference case. Macon attorney Frank Hogue describes how negotiations with Fulton prosecutors transpired before Ellis entered her guilty plea on Oct. 24. She was sentenced to five years on probation and agreed to fully cooperate with prosecutors as the case moves forward. “Inside ...
Nov 01, 2023•36 min•Season 10Ep. 15
This Breakdown episode covers the guilty plea hearings of lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis, both of whom were charged with former President Donald Trump in the election interference case. Chesebro entered his guilty plea – to a felony – the day after co-defendant Sidney Powell struck her plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors. Four days later, attorney Jenna Ellis entered her own guilty plea, also to a felony. “Copping a Plea” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The ...
Oct 25, 2023•48 min•Season 10Ep. 14
The latest Breakdown episode covers the surprise guilty plea of lawyer Sidney Powell, who infamously said she would “release the Kraken” when falsely promising she would produce widespread evidence of election fraud. Powell entered her guilty plea one day before jury selection was to begin. Instead, fellow attorney Kenneth Chesbro, who like Powell filed a speedy trial demand, will stand trial on racketeering and other charges. “The Kraken’s Released” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictm...
Oct 20, 2023•29 min•Season 10Ep. 13
