Trump's Terms

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Episodes

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Trump's Terms

Host Scott Detrow curates NPR's reporting, analysis and updates on the 47th President, focusing on actions and policies that challenge precedent and upend political norms, raising questions about what a President can do — and whether his efforts will benefit the voters who returned him to power.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Trump's Terms+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Episodes

The first criminal trial of a former president begins on Monday

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by lawyer and former ambassador Norm Eisen . On Monday, former President Donald Trump will enter a Manhattan courtroom as a defendant in a criminal trial. This will be the first time in American history a former president has faced criminal prosecution. Trump is charged with 34 counts related to falsifying businesses records. The prosecutor intends to connect alleged hush money payments made to adult film actress S...

Apr 13, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Judge's handling of classified documents case invites scrutiny from legal experts

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow is joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and NYU law professor Melissa Murray . This week Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed one of former President Donald Trump's motions to dismiss the Florida classified documents case. Trump argued that when he left the White House he designated the highly sensitive documents as "personal" under the Presidential Records Act. But Cannon has not prevented Trump from using that same argument as part of his ...

Apr 06, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Threats against judges in Trump-related cases soar

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with Reuters reporter Ned Parker . On Monday Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the New York hush money case, expanded a gag order to protect his own family. That's after former President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked the judge's daughter on Truth Social. In his ruling Judge Merchan wrote, "the threat is very real." This follows a recent report out from Reuters that found threats against federal judges, pros...

Apr 02, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Former Supreme Court Justice Breyer on the dangers of constitutional 'textualism'

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow is joined by retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. In Breyer's new book Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism , Breyer explains why he finds textualism's popularity troublesome. Textualism is the legal theory that argues the correct way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text as it was understood at the time the documents were written. Pragmatism, the legal theory Breyer favors, takes curren...

Mar 30, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast

NPR Politics Podcast: Trump's civil fraud judgement dropped to $175 million

For this episode of Trump's Trials , we hand the mic over to the NPR Politics Podcast Former President Donald Trump got a brief reprieve in his New York civil case, as the amount he owes to secure a $454 million bond has been temporarily reduced on appeal. In another New York courtroom the judge overseeing the criminal hush money case set a new trial date — April 15th. The case was originally set to go to trial on March 25th but was delayed due to prosecution and defense receiving new documents ...

Mar 27, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trial for Donald Trump's hush money case will begin on April 15

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . An appeals court has cut the bond former President Donald Trump has to post from $454 million to $175 million in his civil fraud trial. The news came the same day as the deadline before the New York Attorney General could start seizing Trump properties to pay off the massive judgement. And in a separate New York court, a judge sharply rebuked Trump's lawyers in his hush money criminal case and set a trial...

Mar 25, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Here's what you need to know about the New York hush money case

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined law professor Kim Wehle . On the eve of what should have been the start of the New York hush money trial we dive into the details of the case: Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts related to payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels over an alleged affair she had with Trump. The payments were made in the fall of 2016, just months before the election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is claiming...

Mar 23, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast

What happens if Trump can't pay his $454 million civil fraud penalty?

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . Former President Donald Trump is claiming he cannot secure a bond for roughly half a billion dollars to cover the judgment from his New York civil fraud trial. Lawyers for Trump claim they approached 30 companies and four brokers and none were willing to give Trump the $454 million bond. Trump has until March 25th to file the bond or risk having some of his assets seized. Topics include: - Bond deadline -...

Mar 19, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

In Georgia a resignation, in New York a delay

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow is joined by Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and Georgia politics reporter Sam Gringlas . Judge Scott McAfee ruled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can stay on the Georgia election interference case but only if she removes special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Wade later resigned in a letter to the district attorney. Willis and Wade had come under fire for having a relationship that Trump and his co-defendants argued was a conflict of int...

Mar 15, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Judge denies one of Trump's motions to dismiss classified documents case

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with correspondent Greg Allen . Judge Aileen Cannon held a pre-trial hearing where Trump's defense team argued two motions to dismiss charges against the former president in the classified documents case. Judge Cannon quickly denied one of the motions but has yet to rule on the other. During the hearing she appeared skeptical of both arguments presented by the Trump team. Topics include: - Presidential Records Act - Espionage Ac...

Mar 14, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Judge dismisses six counts in Georgia election interference case

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Georgia politics reporter Sam Gringlas . The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case has dismissed six criminal counts against former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants. Three of those counts specifically apply to Trump. They all involve alleged attempts to solicit public officials to violate their oaths of office. An example of that is the telephone call Trump made to Georgia Secretary of State Br...

Mar 13, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump wins in court and at the ballot box

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . Carrie shares new reporting she has on the possible timeline for the federal election interference case. We also discuss Super Tuesday results and if exit polling gives us an indication on how Republican voters are thinking about former President Donald Trump's legal troubles. Topics include: - Timeline for federal election interference case - Supreme Court's Colorado ballo...

Mar 09, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court rules Trump can remain on the ballot

For this episode of Trump's Trials , we hear from NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg . The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump can remain on the ballot in Colorado and other states. The justices concluded the constitution does not allow states to use the 14th amendment to bar presidential candidates from the ballot. Topics include: - Details on the majority opinion - Split among the Justices - Possibility of congressional enforcement Follow the show on Apple Podcas...

Mar 04, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court could end up delaying the Jan. 6 trial past the election

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by constitutional expert Kim Wehle . This week the Supreme Court announced they will consider former President Donald Trump's claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution. That decision has left the federal election interference case in limbo, complicating the chances that the case will go to trial before the November election. Topics include: - Timeline for federal election interference case - Why the Supreme...

Mar 02, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Still unclear when classified documents case will go to trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Alisa Chang speaks with correspondent Greg Allen . Judge Aileen Cannon held a pre-trial hearing in the Florida classified documents case where former President Donald Trump is facing 40 criminal charges. One of the top issues facing Judge Cannon is confirming the start date, but Friday's hearing ended with no clear answer to when this case might go to trial. Topics include: - Political calendar vs legal calendar - Timeline with other criminal trials - T...

Mar 01, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

High stakes for the Supreme Court as it takes on Trump's immunity case

For this episode of Trump's Trials , we hear from NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg . There are lots of questions surrounding the Supreme Court's decision to hear arguments over whether former President Trump is immune from criminal prosecution. The court is notoriously secretive; Nina Totenberg tries to read between the lines for an explanation. Topics include: - Supreme Court's decision - Importance of the political calendar - History of the Supreme Court & the presidency Follow t...

Feb 29, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court to consider Trump's immunity claims

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg . The Supreme Court has decided to hear oral arguments over whether former President Trump is immune from federal prosecution. A three-judge panel previously ruled that Trump did not have broad immunity. The justices will hear arguments the week of April 22nd. Topics include: - Supreme Court's decision - January 6th trial timeline - How this affects the other cases Follow the show ...

Feb 28, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump owes about half a billion dollars in legal penalties — how will he pay for it?

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author of three books about Trump David Cay Johnston . Over the course of four weeks former President Donald Trump was slapped with nearly half a billion dollars in legal penalties. First a jury ordered him to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million. Then a judge ordered him to pay nearly $355 million, plus $100 million in interest, for fraudulent business practices. We l...

Feb 24, 2024•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast

A trial date set in New York and an indignant prosecutor in Georgia

This week on Trump's Trials , host Miles Parks and Domenico Montanaro are joined by New York University law professor Melissa Murray . This week we saw developments in all four of the criminal cases facing former President Donald Trump. We also got decision in the New York civil fraud case, where a judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million and banned him from doing business in New York for three years. But we're focusing on two of these cases — the New York hush money case and the Georgia election...

Feb 17, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump ordered to pay nearly $355 million in civil fraud case

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Juana Summers speaks NPR's Andrea Bernstein . A New York judge has ordered former President Donald Trump and his companies to pay nearly $355 million in penalties for inflating the value of his properties and other assets. The verdict also banned Trump from operating his New York business and applying for loans in the state for three years. This follows a sometimes contentious three-month trial that was decided by a judge and not a jury. Topics include:...

Feb 16, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trial date set in New York hush money case, Fani Willis takes the stand in Georgia

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks NPR's Andrea Bernstein and Georgia politics reporter Sam Gringlas . On March 25th the New York hush money case will go to trial, making it the first time a former president will be defendant in a criminal trial. Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts related to falsifying business records during the 2016 campaign in order to keep past affairs a secret. This will be the first of the four criminal cases to go to trial. ...

Feb 16, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast

It could be a consequential week in all four criminal cases against Trump

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Juana Summers speaks with senior political correspondent Domenico Montanaro . Former President Donald Trump is facing a big week in all four of the criminal cases against him. Two of the biggest developments are set to come out of New York and Georgia. In the New York hush money case, a judge will determine this week if the case will begin as scheduled on March 25th. Meanwhile, in Georgia, a hearing is set this week to determine whether Fulton Country D...

Feb 13, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump's mixed week: a possible boost from one court and a setback from another

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by former US attorney and deputy assistant attorney general Harry Litman . It was a big week in the Trump legal world. There was the decision on presidential immunity, spoiler alert - he doesn't have it. And then there were those Supreme Court oral arguments in the Colorado ballot case, where the justices seemed skeptical of an individual state being able to disqualify Trump from seeking office again. To cap off th...

Feb 10, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Justices push lawyers on question of Trump's eligibility to run for another term

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg , Washington Desk Senior Editor and Correspondent Ron Elving and UCLA law professor and election law expert Rick Hasen . On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for office on the basis of Section 3 of the 14th amendment. The justices sparred with attorneys from both sides, questioning their justifica...

Feb 08, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Trump should remain on the ballot

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . On Thursday, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the Colorado ballot case. This case centers on whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for office on the basis of Section 3 of the 14th amendment. The once little-known clause bars anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then "engaged in insurrection" against it from holding office. The...

Feb 07, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump does not have broad immunity, appeals court decides

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . Former President Donald Trump does not enjoy broad immunity from federal prosecution. That was the ruling from a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit. The judges also gave Trump six days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include: - Details of the D.C. Appeals ruling - Political and legal calendar - What's next Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for ne...

Feb 06, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Georgia on our minds

This week on Trump's Trials , guest host Miles Parks and Domenico Montanaro are joined by constitutional expert and lawyer Kim Wehle . Now that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has admitted to having a relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, there continues to be calls for her removal from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump. Legally she may not be required to step aside. But politically, the relationship complicates the perception of the cas...

Feb 04, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Fani Willis admits relationship with prosecutor in Georgia case, denies wrongdoing

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with political reporter Stephen Fowler . In a court filing on Friday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis admitted to having a relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, but denied any misconduct. Willis hired Wade to prosecute the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump. In the 176-page brief, Willis said allegations that she and Wade financially benefit from prosecuting the case are "mer...

Feb 02, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Two historians argue that the 14th amendment disqualifies Trump from the ballot

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with historians Jill Lepore and David Blight . Lepore and Blight have submitted a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court ahead of oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump should remain on the Colorado ballot. Colorado's Supreme Court said Trump is not qualified for the presidency under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. Section 3 of that amendment says you can't serve in federal office if you once took an oath...

Jan 31, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Delays, delays, delays

This week on Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow is joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . In this episode we take a step back to look at where the four criminal cases former President Donald Trump is facing currently stand. There's the classified documents case in Florida, the hush money case involving Stormy Daniels in New York, the Georgia election interference case and the Jan. 6th federal election interference case. Topics include: - Updates on all of Trump's criminal cases - T...

Jan 27, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast