OA1029: Trump Trial, Week 2, Part 1!

Lordy, there are tapes! Our special coverage of People v. Trump continues, now with readings from Juilliard-trained, Tony-winning actors Thomas and Lydia Smith! (none of that is true except possibly our names.)

Donald Trump is now the first U.S. President ever to be held in contempt of court. Exactly how criminal is "criminal contempt" in New York, and what does this mean for the rest of the trial? Also, Matt takes us on a fascinating mini-dive on the National Enquirer. It has a very interesting history you might not be familiar with. Then start getting into the trial fireworks. Much more to come! Probably at least 3 parts.

1) People v. Trump Transcripts

2) Justice Merchan's contempt order

3) AMI non-prosecution agreement

If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

Episode 1028

Can a former President of the United States be prosecuted for trying to overturn a democratic election? The Supreme Court just spent two hours and forty minutes (!) hearing a case in which they were supposed to be reviewing this simple question and Donald Trump’s claims of total immunity. We review the last oral argument of this term and try to cut through the bad faith, irrelevance, and misdirection to understand what is actually happening here and where it all might be going.

• DC Trump indictment (8/1/23)

• Government’s brief in Trump v. U.S

• Trump’s brief in Trump v. U.S.

• CSPAN’S complete bookmarked SCOTUS oral arguments in Trump v. U.S. (4/25/24)

If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!

As the first week of the first criminal trial of a former President in U.S. history wraps up, we prepare for our special coverage of People v. Trump by stepping back to remember how we got here. Why is Donald Trump being prosecuted for paying off Stormy Daniels, anyway? Who are all of these people? How good is the prosecution’s case, really? And what can we expect from the defense?

We also answer a few patron questions about the trial, after which subscribers will enjoy a dramatic rendition of the best bit of this week’s gag order violation hearing: Trump attorney Todd Blanche’s struggle to convince the court that his client’s retweets are not, as a matter of law, endorsements.

PATRON EXTRA! Beginning now, Patreon subscribers will enjoy longer episodes with special bonus content as part of our special coverage of People v. Trump: Thomas and Matt’s readings from our favorite parts of the daily trial transcripts. Subscribe at www.patreon.law/law for the good stuff!

• Indictment and Statement of Facts, People v. Trump (4/4/2023)

• New York jury instructions for Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (NY Penal Law 175.10)

• Justice Merchan’s ruling on Trump’s Motion to Dismiss (2/15/24)

• Daily trial transcripts in People v. Trump

If you’d like to support the show (and lose the ads!), please pledge at patreon.com/law!