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.
May 15, 2024•52 min•Ep. 80
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...
May 10, 2024•49 min•Ep. 79
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 clas...
May 07, 2024•48 min•Ep. 78
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 Cl...
May 04, 2024•50 min•Ep. 77
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 violat...
Apr 30, 2024•46 min•Ep. 76
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 ...
Apr 26, 2024•52 min•Ep. 75
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.
Apr 25, 2024•3 hr 40 min
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. ...
Apr 23, 2024•44 min•Ep. 74
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.
Apr 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 73
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...
Apr 16, 2024•46 min•Ep. 72
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.
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 24 min
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-Mel...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 6 min
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 readin...
Apr 09, 2024•51 min•Ep. 71
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 Securit...
Apr 02, 2024•44 min•Ep. 70
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 o...
Mar 26, 2024•43 min•Ep. 69
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 Sm...
Mar 22, 2024•50 min
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 acclai...
Mar 21, 2024•47 min
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 le...
Mar 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 68
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 medi...
Mar 16, 2024•44 min
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 appea...
Mar 12, 2024•37 min•Ep. 67
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 v...
Mar 06, 2024•38 min•Ep. 66
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.
Feb 29, 2024•30 min•Ep. 65
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 ...
Feb 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 64
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....
Feb 21, 2024•36 min•Ep. 63
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 ....
Feb 17, 2024•44 min
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.
Feb 13, 2024•37 min•Ep. 62
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 ...
Feb 09, 2024•43 min•Ep. 61
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.
Feb 08, 2024•2 hr 10 min
On Tuesday, the US Appeals Court for the DC Circuit unanimously ruled that former President Trump is not immune from prosecution as it relates to his actions after the 2020 election. MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord detail what the decision means and what happens next. This, as we await Thursday's oral arguments before the Supreme Court to decide if Trump can be kept off Colorado’s primary ballot due to the 14th amendment’s insurrection clause. Also on tap: movement in the F...
Feb 07, 2024•48 min•Ep. 60
The clock is ticking as the country awaits some significant legal decisions in the coming days and weeks: when will Special Counsel Hur release his long-awaited report on President Biden’s handling of classified documents? How will Judge Engoron rule in the New York civil fraud case? And what will the DC Circuit decide when it comes to presidential immunity? MSNBC legal analysts Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord review these questions and what to glean from the E. Jean Carroll verdict and the dam...
Jan 30, 2024•34 min•Ep. 59
