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

Manhattan D.A. suggests postponing Trump's sentence until he's out of office

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR reporter Ximena Bustillo. Manhattan judge Juan Marchand is struggling with the question of what to do with the criminal conviction against President-elect Donald Trump. With Trump headed back to the White House, his lawyers are asking Marchand to throw out the case. But in a letter to the court on Tuesday, Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg seems to be suggesting the court should wait until Trump's second term ...

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

What happens to Trump's criminal cases now that he's won re-election?

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR justice correspondent Carrie Johnson . Now that Donald Trump is headed back to the White House the three remaining criminal cases against him will most likely go away. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices...

Nov 09, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Jan. 6 defendants celebrate Trump's victory and expect to be pardoned

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR's Tom Dreisbach . For many people charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, Donald Trump's victory has led to celebration. Throughout Trump's campaign, he called the rioters "political prisoners" — and promised pardons on his first day in office. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR...

Nov 07, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Special counsel taking steps to wind down cases against Trump before inauguration

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . Special Counsel Jack Smith will be taking steps to wind down the federal government's cases against president-elect Donald Trump before Trump takes office in January. For about two years Smith has been building two cases against Trump, one of them for his actions related to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and the second for allegedly hoarding classified d...

Nov 07, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Separating election facts from fiction

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Voting correspondent Miles Parks . In these closing days of the presidential election, polling across the board has nearly every swing state in a statistical tie, meaning the election may come down to just a couple thousands votes. No matter who wins, in the coming days we're going to hear a lot more from Donald Trump and his allies about the results. And if history is any guide we can expect a mix of misleading information, r...

Nov 02, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court allows Virginia to purge suspected noncitizens from voter rolls

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered Host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR reporter Jude Joffe-Block . Just six days before the Election, the Supreme Court has issued a ruling that allows Virginia to continue purging individuals from state voter rolls. The state says it's removing ineligible non-citizens. But Joffe-Block has spoken to U.S. citizen voters whose registrations were also canceled as part of the state's program. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new ep...

Oct 30, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Lawsuits over Pennsylvania mail-in ballots

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR Voting Correspondent Hansi Lo Wang . In the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, voters have already begun sending in their ballots by mail. Currently, there are several ongoing lawsuits across the state over whose mail-in ballots must be counted. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journali...

Oct 29, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The myth about noncitizen voting

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR voting correspondent Miles Parks and NPR reporter Jude Joffe-Block . Former President Donald Trump and his allies have been ramping up a baseless claim that Democrats are encouraging newly-arrived migrants to vote for them in this year's federal elections. There is no evidence to support this claim of noncitizens voting and yet the narrative has taken hold among Republican voters. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify f...

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

A month from election day, a Republican push to disqualify certain votes is underway

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR correspondent Miles Parks . A month out from election day, Republicans have filed a number of lawsuits aimed at invalidating votes across many states. Whether they succeed or not, these lawsuits are already casting doubt on the process for many Americans. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstr...

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

New evidence unsealed in federal election interference case against Trump

Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson about Special Counsel Jack Smith's January 6th brief. Federal prosecutors are providing the most detailed look yet — at their election interference case against former President Donald Trump. In court papers unsealed on Wednesday, the Justice Department describes how Trump allegedly conspired to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturd...

Oct 02, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Attorney General Merrick Garland's legacy

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson looks at Attorney General Merrick Garland's legacy at the Justice Department. Much of that legacy will be scrutinized for how he handled federal criminal cases against former President Donald Trump and prosecutions of Jan. 6 defendants. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Emai...

Sep 26, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Can the U.S. Postal Service deliver mail-in ballots on time?

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR voting rights correspondent Hansi Lo Wang takes a look at the U.S. Postal Service's ability to deliver mail-ballots on time for November's election. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Polic...

Sep 23, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Georgia State Election Board votes to require ballots be hand-counted

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered Host Ari Shapiro speaks with WABE politics reporter Sam Gringlas . In a highly controversial decision the Georgia State Election Board voted to require a hand count of the number of ballots cast on Election Day. Supporters argue this change will ensure the integrity of the election, while opponent say the last-minute change could cause delays and confusion on election night and the days that follow. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or S...

Sep 20, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Georgia Secretary of State calls new certification rule "misguided"

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about the upcoming presidential election. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy...

Sep 17, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The Republicans who stood up to Trump after the 2020 election

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow takes speaks with Dan Reed, the director of the documentary " Stopping the Steal ." In the film we hear from Republican officials in Arizona and Georgia who wanted Donald Trump to win the 2020 presidential election but were not willing to break the law for him. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Ema...

Sep 14, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

"Fake electors" return for 2024 election

For this episode of Trump's Trials , NPR voting rights correspondent Hansi Lo Wang takes a look at what have been known as "fake electors" returning for the 2024 election. Four years ago, these Republican electors gathered in seven mainly swing states where Trump lost the popular vote to sign certificates that became part of a scheme by the former president and his allies to try to overturn the election results. This year's return of some of these Republicans as potential electors — confirmed in...

Sep 12, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump hush money sentencing postponed until after the election

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR politics reporter Ximena Bustillo . New York Judge Juan Merchan delayed former President Donald Trump's sentencing in the hush money fraud case to November 26th, after the presidential election. In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records related to payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. This is the second time sentencing has been delayed. Follow t...

Sep 06, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The fight over whether the Jan. 6th case will make it to trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . The Justice Department is looking to salvage the federal election interference case against Trump following the Supreme Court's ruling that he has considerable immunity from criminal prosecution for acts carried out while he was president. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's ...

Sep 05, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

New Georgia rule could lead to election certification challenges

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered Host Ailsa Chang speaks with Voting Correspondent Miles Parks . Georgia recently changed a voting rule that could allow some local election boards the ability to refuse to certify results. NPR's Miles Parks breaks down the concerns over this rule change and why some experts believe the courts are a strong backstop to possible certification challenges. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up fo...

Sep 02, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

An inconceivable summer — what comes next?

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow takes a look back at an unbelievable summer in politics. NPR's Domenico Montanaro looks ahead at what to expect over the next 66 days of campaigning. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials . Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org . Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR...

Aug 31, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast

New indictment against Trump in the federal Jan. 6 case

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered Host Ailsa Chang speaks with Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . The Justice Department has obtained a new grand jury indictment in the federal election interference case against Donald Trump. The move comes weeks after the Supreme Court gave the former president substantial immunity from prosecution. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday. Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's politi...

Aug 27, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump's classified documents case is dismissed - what happens next?

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with Constitutional expert Kim Wehle . Federal Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed former President Donald Trump's classified documents case on Monday. Cannon ruled the appointment of Jack Smith to special counsel was unconstitutional and therefore the indictment should be dismissed. Trump faced 40 felony counts for allegedly taking classified material and obstructing the government's efforts to retrieve them. Special Counsel Jack Smith has...

Jul 20, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump's classified documents case has been dismissed by judge

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered's Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Greg Allen and Carrie Johnson . Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed former President Donald Trump's classified documents case in Florida. The ruling argued that the initial appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutional. Most legal observers saw the case as the one with the most clear-cut evidence against him. The ruling comes after months of delays from Cannon, a judge nominated by T...

Jul 15, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Two experts on why U.S. democracy is no longer on "sure footing"

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky, the authors of How Democracies Die and Tyranny of the Minority . The Supreme Court's landmark decision ruling that president's enjoy broad immunity from criminal prosecution stunned many constitutional experts. Ziblatt and Levitsky see it as the latest move that has put America's democracy in danger of "collapse." In this episode we dive into the state of America's democracy and what can be done...

Jul 13, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast

The Supreme Court's immunity ruling complicates all the cases against Trump

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Domenico Montanaro speaks with former deputy assistant attorney general Harry Litman . The Supreme Court's landmark decision on presidential immunity is complicating all of the pending legal cases against former President Donald Trump. Even the hush money trial where he was already convicted is getting a second look to determine what, if any, evidence violates the Supreme Court's ruling. Topics include: - Reaction to immunity decision - How decision affe...

Jul 06, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Nixon attorney: "Richard Nixon would have had a pass" with this Supreme Court

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . In 1974 the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in United States v. Nixon, that Nixon must to comply with a subpoena and hand over his White House tapes. It was a blow to Nixon's presidency and two weeks later he resigned from office. But what would've happened if today's Supreme Court was on the bench in 1974? Carrie Johnson spoke with people involved in Watergate to fin...

Jul 02, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court: Trump immune from prosecution for 'core' acts as president

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with University of Baltimore law professor Kim Wahle and later, NPR senior editor and political correspondent Domenico Montanaro . In a 6-to-3 decision, along ideological lines, the Court ruled that presidents have absolute immunity for their core constitutional powers, and are entitled to a presumption of immunity for other official acts. But they also ruled that presidents do not have immunity for unofficial acts...

Jul 01, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Supreme Court sides with January 6th rioters

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . The Supreme Court ruled federal prosecutors improperly charged hundreds of January 6ths defendants — and potentially, even former President Donald Trump. The majority found the charge — obstructing an official proceeding — does not apply unless the Justice Department can prove a defendant interfered with official documents. Therefore solely storming the Capitol to interrupt the certifica...

Jun 28, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Retired federal judge says Cannon appears to show 'favoritism' towards Trump

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and with retired federal judge Shira Scheindlin . Judge Aileen Cannon continues to make decisions in the Florida classified documents case that strike some legal observers as odd. Retired federal judge Shira Scheindlin gave us her view on Cannon's choices and why she thinks Cannon is moving slowly through pre-trial motions. Topics include: - Update on classified documents case - Cannon's d...

Jun 15, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Republicans call for "revenge" in response to Trump's conviction

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro . It's been a little over a week since a jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts in the New York hush money trial. Unsurprisingly, Republicans and conservative commentators have stood by Trump claiming, without evidence, that the trial was "rigged." Along with those false claims, conservatives are also calling for Trump to exact "revenge"...

Jun 08, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast