Veteran prosecutors Andrew Weissmann and Mary McCord discuss jury selection in Trump's criminal trial, motions filed against him, and arguments in the Fischer case. They delve into allegations of contempt violations, due process implications, legal challenges, and detailed jury selection processes in high-profile cases, shedding light on obstruction charges and judicial interpretations.
Trump faces charges of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments to adult film actresses.
Supreme Court considers the definition of obstruction of an official proceeding beyond document tampering.
Deep dives
Charges Against Trump for Falsifying Business Records
Accusations of Trump falsifying business records emerge from the grand jury indictment in New York. The indictment alleges Trump's intent to defraud by making false entries in business records involving payments to his former attorney Michael Cohen. These records aimed to conceal payments made to adult film actresses Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal to suppress damaging information during the election period.
Robert De Niro Reads from New York Indictment
Actor Robert De Niro reads from the New York indictment, outlining the first of 34 felony counts against Donald Trump. The false business records were created to hide payments for hush money. De Niro's reading sheds light on the nature of the charges and the involvement of various parties, including the Trump Organization and American Media Inc.
Details of the 34 Charges Against Trump
The 34 felony charges against Trump involve falsifying business records to conceal payments for hush money to adult film actresses. These charges are part of a broader scheme involving Trump, Michael Cohen, and American Media to suppress damaging information. The charges include false invoices and entries in the general ledger of the Donald J. Trump revocable trust.
Jury Selection and Supreme Court Argument
The jury selection process ensues in the Manhattan trial, with potential jurors answering detailed questions to ensure fairness and impartiality. Simultaneously, the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a case involving obstruction of an official proceeding, a charge relevant to both Trump and another defendant. The court deliberates on whether the statute encompasses actions like violent interruption of official proceedings beyond document tampering.
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 obstructed an official proceeding.
A very special thanks to renowned actor Robert De Niro for reading an excerpt from the New York criminal indictment. You’ll hear his voice throughout the trial as relevant portions of these documents arise.