The Trump Trials: Sidebar
311 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★ - 4.4K ratingsThe Washington Post’s Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann gather for a weekly conversation about former president Donald Trump’s ongoing legal troubles. As trials loom in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C., the team will break down the most important – and historic – twists and turns, all as Trump seeks a second term as president.
The crew will sit down each Thursday (with the occasional breaking news episode) to discuss what has happened that week, and what’s coming up the next week – often with guest appearances from Washington Post reporters. Listen in to see how you can submit your own questions for the team to answer.
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The presidential power to strike
September 02, 2021 19:48How much power should the president have to act unilaterally on drone strikes? And how will that question define a new era of U.S. warfare? Plus, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) weighs in on the balance between the president and Congress on war powers. Biden vowed a smooth exit from Afghanistan. Now what? Thousands have been evacuated from Afghanistan. Where will they go?
Thousands have been evacuated from Afghanistan. Where will they go?
August 26, 2021 18:47The Biden administration faces a big challenge as they try to resettle Afghanistan refugees, and while also ensuring each person arriving to the U.S. undergoes significant security checks. The political debate around what happens next has started to heat up. Biden vowed a smooth exit from Afghanistan. Now what? Biden headed for divisive debate over resettlement of Afghanistan refugees Americans prepare to welcome thousands of Afghan refugees, even as political rhetoric heats up
Biden vowed a smooth exit from Afghanistan. Now what?
August 19, 2021 19:01Biden sold himself as the experienced leader to undo Trump’s foreign policy missteps. But his push to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan and the ensuing chaos has called that claim into question. Is this moment a test for Biden? And is he passing? Biden’s promise to restore competence to the presidency is undercut by chaos in Afghanistan Post Reports: A disastrous American exit Biden says ‘America is back’ on the world stage. Is it?
Biden’s climate agenda is bold. Is it enough?
August 12, 2021 20:44Climate legislation moves forward as a U.N. report warns that humans have pushed the climate into "unprecedented" territory unless greenhouse gas pollution falls dramatically. President Biden has big goals to cut that pollution. Will his agenda succeed? Tracking Biden’s environmental actions
One big threat to Biden’s agenda: The map
August 05, 2021 19:12The 2022 midterm elections are still more than a year away. But the battle to win those races has already begun in the form of redrawing legislative and congressional districts. What can we learn about which party will emerge with the greatest advantage? Related episodes and reading ‘How to Flip the House’ series Not the'normal' Washington Biden promised How a voting law ignited a culture war
The future of the Jan. 6 commission
July 29, 2021 21:10The ongoing probe may have implications for the 2022 midterm race and for President Biden’s promise to tackle white supremacist violence. What might findings reveal about where the U.S. is headed? And what can the hearings tell us about what’s to come? Republicans voice opposition to Jan. 6 investigation as police officers call for accountability Will Trump stop Congress from obtaining documents and testimonies? What happens when a president asserts executive privilege?
Biden vs. the delta variant
July 22, 2021 20:27 - 27.5 MBThe delta variant raises new challenges for the Biden administration: Will they change their approach to masking? What steps can they take to combat vaccine disinformation and get more Americans vaccinated? And is the economy at risk of another meltdown? Vaccine hesitancy at home, desperation abroad The mystery of the pandemic’s origins(and what it means for Biden) White House officials debate masking push as covid infections spike
Should the U.S. government still invest in space?
July 15, 2021 20:58How does NASA fit in when billionaires fly to space? What are Biden’s plans for the space agency and how much of Trump’s initiatives does he plan to continue? And, ultimately, why should the government still invest in space exploration at all? Related episodes and reading As China’s space ambitions grow, NASA tells Congress it needs more money to compete Everything you need to know about going to space
Inside the Trump White House during the pandemic response
July 08, 2021 16:58On this episode, Post Reports host Martine Powers talks to two Post reporters who reported on chaos in the early days of the pandemic including details about how sick President Trump was and his proposal to send infected Americans to Guantánamo. Inside the extraordinary effort to save Trump from covid-19 Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes The president’s desperate push to reopen America
What makes a president a good (or bad) leader?
July 01, 2021 20:15As Americans celebrates the country's founding, we examine the presidency. How is a president’s leadership measured over time, and how do cultural moments change our historical perception? We offer insight from C-SPAN's Presidential Historians Survey. 'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.’ Promises made. Promises kept? C-SPAN’s Presidential Historians Survey 2021
Biden’s evolution on criminal justice
June 24, 2021 20:01The Biden administration is supporting a bill that would end the sentencing disparity in crack and powder cocaine offenses. But that disparity exists largely because of bills President Biden spearheaded in 80s and 90s. How much has Biden evolved? How an early Biden crime bill created the sentencing disparity for crack and cocaine trafficking Biden administration endorses bill to end disparity in drug sentencing between crack and powder cocaine Menthol cigarettes kill more Black Americans....
Washington’s revolving door hits Biden on the way in
June 17, 2021 20:55President Biden promised a government where“public servants serve all Americans, not themselves or narrow special interests.” But one set of brothers pose a challenge to Biden's efforts to return to transparency and accountability in government. Related reading and episodes Lobbyist brother of top Biden adviser poses challenge to president’s ethics promises Not the'normal' Washington Biden promised
Biden says ‘America is back’ on the world stage. Is it?
June 10, 2021 20:40Can Biden rally the world’s democracies to meet today's challenges? And what might this trip reveal about the Biden foreign policy doctrine? On this episode, White House reporter Anne Gearan weighs in from Europe, as she travels with President Biden. Related reading and episodes Biden’s personal diplomacy to be tested on his first trip abroad Opinion: Joe Biden: My trip to Europe is about America rallying the world’s democracies Biden, Boris Johnson release updated Atlantic Charter after...
The mystery of the pandemic’s origins (and what it means for Biden)
June 03, 2021 19:29What are the geopolitical implications of the intelligence community"redoubling its efforts" to identify the pandemic's origins? And what are the political challenges for President Biden in acknowledging a theory once touted by the Trump administration? Vaccine hesitancy at home, desperation abroad Coronavirus‘lab leak’ theory jumps from mocked to maybe as Biden orders intelligence review Timeline: How the Wuhan lab-leak theory suddenly became credible
Biden wants to end housing discrimination. Can he do that?
May 20, 2021 16:00Discrimination is built into the American housing crisis. We examine the limits of President Biden's power to fix it, in this second episode in our occasional series about the policy challenges that President Biden faces during his first year in office. Promises made. Promises kept? How Biden stimulus bill will target homelessness Marcia Fudge confirmed as first Black woman to lead HUD in more than 40 years
Not the 'normal' Washington Biden promised
May 13, 2021 21:41Are the divisions within the Republican party causing real problems for Biden’s goals? And if he’s forced to move his agenda forward with only the help of his own party, how might Democratic factions and party discord make that more difficult? Related reading and episodes Promises made. Promises kept? As Biden faces a struggle to hold the Senate, Democrats’ divisions resurface The fight over Liz Cheney and Donald Trump is just beginning
Not the “normal” Washington Biden promised
May 13, 2021 21:41Are the divisions within the Republican party causing real problems for Biden’s goals? And if he’s forced to move his agenda forward with only the help of his own party, how might Democratic factions and party discord make that more difficult? Related reading and episodes Promises made. Promises kept? As Biden faces a struggle to hold the Senate, Democrats’ divisions resurface The fight over Liz Cheney and Donald Trump is just beginning
Vaccine hesitancy at home, desperation abroad
May 06, 2021 21:26As the president lays out a new vaccine strategy at home, how much can Biden also do to help curb the spread of coronavirus around the world? And what do the challenges with U.S. vaccine hesitancy mean for supply here -- and abroad? Related reading and episodes Biden commits to waiving vaccine patents White House is split over how to vaccinate the world Will Biden get you a vaccine?
Promises made. Promises kept?
April 29, 2021 19:31One hundred days into the Biden administration, how far has the president come on his campaign pledges? Biden promised a new way of governing, so has much changed? Reporter Matt Viser unpacks President Biden's progress and what's next on his agenda. Related reading and episodes Biden’s big bet on big government Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel? Biden urges expansion of government services, setting up struggle with GOP
Menthol cigarettes kill more Black Americans. Should Biden ban them?
April 22, 2021 22:15Will the Biden administration be able to strike a balance between politics and public health to regulate menthol cigarettes? And what are the implications if it does? We explain the pending decision and unravel the history of menthol marketing. Related reading and episodes Biden’s big bet on big government FDA weighs ban on menthol cigarettes
Will the president cancel student debt?
April 15, 2021 13:00Sen. Elizabeth Warren, an economist, and a student all weigh in on what to do — or not — about student debt, in this first episode in our occasional series about the policy challenges that President Biden might face during his first year in office. Related reading and episodes The faces of student debt Biden at odds with Democratic leaders over lawmakers’ call to cancel up to $50,000 in federal student debt
How a voting law ignited a culture war
April 08, 2021 18:19The political power of culture wars Republicans ramp up attacks on corporations over Georgia voting law, threaten‘consequences’ The Georgia voting law, explained
Biden’s big bet on big government
April 01, 2021 19:17How did Biden become a president with an ambitious agenda for major government expansion? Where will his proposals position him in history? And is he likely to accomplish much of what he’s put forth? The Post’s Dan Balz weighs in. Related reading and episodes Biden is betting on bigger government. The pandemic may be helping him. Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel?
Do presidents have the power to stop mass shootings?
March 25, 2021 16:10After tragedies in Colorado and Georgia, Biden has pledged to tighten gun laws. But the country has been here before, in the aftermath of mass shootings. Regardless of which party is in power, little reform has happened. Will this time be different? Related reading and episodes How much can a president affect gun policy? Shootings spur Biden to call for tighter gun rules
The political power of culture wars
March 18, 2021 22:36We examine why transgender rights have risen to the forefront of our politics, and what the history of the modern Republican party reveals about how social issue battles work as a political tool, with reporter Samantha Schmidt and professor Brian Conley. Related reading and episodes A transgender girl struggles to find her voice as lawmakers attack her right to exist Transgender rights emerge as a growing political flash point The Biden era begins
Biden signed a $1.9 trillion bill. How much relief will Americans feel?
March 11, 2021 23:15Will low income Americans feel their lives change in tangible ways? On the other hand, might a fast-growing economy cause big problems? Plus, how might Biden make sure Americans know the government is responsible for some of economic changes they see? Related reading and episodes How to fix our democracy? Start in Kindergarten. Will Biden get you a vaccine? Biden wants to sell the stimulus. The White House is still figuring out how.
How to fix our democracy? Start in Kindergarten.
March 04, 2021 23:20A new report draws a line from today’s civics crises to a long-standing failure to effectively teach American government and history in our public schools. On this episode, we explain what the potential outcomes for civic engagement. Related reading and episodes Biden’s shifting benchmarks for reopening schools Investment civics education proposed to address eroding trust in democracy The Biden era begins
Reshaping the role of the Justice Department
February 26, 2021 00:34Can Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland rebuild confidence in the DOJ's independence? How might his efforts on Biden policies like combating far-right extremism and curbing police violence make the perception of an independent DOJ harder? Related reading and episodes The duty of a president during crisis Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered. How the Oklahoma City bombing case prepared Garland to take on domestic terrorism
Biden’s shifting benchmarks for reopening schools
February 18, 2021 23:42Can President Biden come through on this promise of reopening most schools within his first 100 days? How much can the president influence when and how schools welcome students back into the classroom? And what are the political consequences? Related reading and episodes Will Biden get you a vaccine? Biden’s goal to reopen schools meets high-stakes political test The battle over reopening schools
The duty of a president during crisis
February 12, 2021 01:11Some of the arguments in Trump's second impeachment trial get at the core of presidential responsibilities. We examine two of them to clarify the duties of a president during crisis and to understand how free speech applies to the commander in chief. -- Virtual event information: Want something fun to do on Presidents’ Day when you can’t leave the house? Join Presidential podcast host Lillian Cunningham for a(free!)'Presidential' trivia night with special guests, fun prizes, plus a demo of...
Biden says he wants to reunite migrant families. It won’t be easy.
February 04, 2021 23:41Families are still separated years after President Trump's policy ended. Latin America correspondent Kevin Sieff on the experiences of some migrant families. Plus, immigration policy expert Ali Noorani explains what it would take to reunite families. Related reading and episodes They were one of the first families separated at the border. Two and a half years later, they’re still apart. Will Biden get you a vaccine? The Biden era begins
Will Biden get you a vaccine?
January 29, 2021 00:31How much power does Biden have to affect vaccine distribution and where is his power limited? What role should the federal government play in the process? Plus, officials on the ground explain what it's like to work to get vaccines to their communities. If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support the reporting that goes into it, the best way to do so is through a subscription to The Post. A subscription gets you unlimited access to everything we publish, from breaking news to baking...
The Biden era begins
January 21, 2021 23:48President Biden campaigned on a promise to fix what’s broken, to repair divisions, to pull the country out of sickness, and to restore norms and institutions that were pillars of the Washington in which he built his career. Can he do that? Related reading and episodes What’s next for Trump? The 46th president Biden pledges to defeat extremism and culture of lies If you enjoy this podcast and you’d like to support the reporting that goes into it, the best way to do so is through a subsc...
What’s next for Trump?
January 14, 2021 20:44President Trump's businesses are taking a hit, he's been impeached a second time and he might face legal challenges after he leaves office. Reporter David Fahrenthold answers questions about what’s next for Trump. Related reading and episodes One impeachment is rare. Two is unprecedented. Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered. Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk?
One impeachment is rare. Two is unprecedented.
January 12, 2021 21:28Why impeach a president who is on his way out? When would a Senate trial start? Can President Trump be convicted after he leaves office? What does this mean for the GOP? Author of The Post’s Power Up newsletter, Jacqueline Alemany, answers key questions. Related reading and episodes Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered. Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk? What happens if Trump refuses to accept a loss?
Trump incited a mob. American Democracy suffered.
January 07, 2021 23:29The breach of the U.S. Capitol was a remarkable moment in American history. Professor Sarah Binder explains how the usually uneventful vote was expected to unfold, and reporter Philip Bump lays out the challenges a divided GOP faces in the aftermath. Related reading and episodes Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk? What happens if Trump refuses to accept a loss? Two different stories of American unrest
Trump’s last chance
December 17, 2020 23:13President Trump only has one last way to challenge the results of the election-- and he'll need Congress. How long can he hold onto his influence on GOP leaders and voters in his base? And how might his influence affect Georgia's Senate races? Related reading and episodes Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk? What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish? In challenging election defeat, Trump cements his control over the Republican Party
Trump takes credit for the vaccine. Does he deserve it?
December 10, 2020 22:30How much did Trump’s efforts effect vaccine development? Has Operation Warp Speed done more to help than our government’s pre-existing pandemic response system? Dr. Nicole Lurie of The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations answers questions. Related reading and episodes What you need to know about the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines Virus cases are surging in the U.S. Is our government better prepared now? A president’s push for an unproven cure
Pardon me? And my family? And maybe my lawyer?
December 04, 2020 03:05President Trump is reportedly considering pardoning himself and his family for potential future Justice Department charges. Can he do that? And where does recent news of a“bribery-for-pardon” scheme fit into a president's limitations on pardon power? Related reading and episodes The problems with pardon power Trump’s view of a unilaterally powerful president goes unchallenged Giuliani? Manafort? Himself? Here’s whom a lame-duck Trump could pardon.
Trump’s lame-duck agenda: Lessons from history and warnings for coronavirus
November 19, 2020 22:55Are Trump's major moves during a lame-duck period unprecedented? Professor Jeremi Suri offers an example from history with lessons for today. Plus, reporter Yasmeen Abutaleb on the implications of Trump's approach to the virus for Biden's incoming team. Related reading and episodes What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish? Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk?
Does Trump’s refusal to concede put national security at risk?
November 13, 2020 00:44Experts are concerned that the president's unwillingness to start a transition threatens our country’s safety by denying President-elect Joe Biden resources and intelligence. Shane Harris explains the risks when a president blocks a smooth transition. Related reading and episodes What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish? Amid Pentagon upheaval, military officers face a fraught few months Pressure mounts on state Republicans as lawsuits challenging election results flop
What do Trump’s legal threats actually accomplish?
November 05, 2020 21:24Election Day 2020 is behind us, but the presidential election is far from over. Because of increased vote-by-mail and early voting, vote counts are taking longer than usual this year. The race is very tight. The winner of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency is coming down to vote counts with very thin margins in a handful of battleground states. While counts are still trickling in, President Trump has repeatedly made false claims of election fraud, declared victory in sta...
Trump and the economy: The administration’s biggest victories also exacerbated our divides
October 29, 2020 18:00As a businessman, candidate Donald Trump said that he was the only person who could deliver major gains for U.S. workers. The stock market and the wealthiest Americans have seen gains during his administration, but at a cost — ever-growing wealth inequalities. Related reading and listening: Will Trump get Americans off of welfare? Jobless claims increase to 898,000, a sign the recovery could be stalling Trump’s Carrier deal fades as economic reality intervenes Subscribe to The Washingto...
Trump and science: An erosion of our institutions, in public and behind the scenes
October 28, 2020 18:00Through his administration’s efforts to weaken agencies, control the flow of information coming out of government and shutter scientific programs, we explore how President Trump has increased divisions in our willingness to accept science-based guidance. Related reading and listening: Does the president have much power to control a viral outbreak? CDC feels pressure from Trump as rift grows over coronavirus response Science ranks grow thin in Trump administration Subscribe to The Washin...
Trump and race: How the president’s rhetoric and policies divided us
October 27, 2020 18:00President Trump has been surrounded by controversies over his rhetoric when it comes to race. Some hoped he would moderate his tone in office, but four years later, the president has inflamed racial tensions more — through both rhetoric and policy. Related reading and listening Will courts let the Trump administration put a citizenship question on the Census? All four living ex-presidents draw a sharp contrast with Trump on systemic racism Allegations of racism have marked Trump’s presi...
How 2020 races across the country lay the groundwork for a president’s influence
October 22, 2020 22:34In the upcoming 2020 election, 35 U.S. Senate seats and 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs. Plus, 44 states with seats in their state legislative chambers are also on the ballot. Many of these races have an impact on the agenda of the next president and the future of the American political landscape. Yes, the makeup of Congress will, of course, affect the way the next president can govern. Parties in control of each house of Congress can help a president carry ...
The 2020 election is facing big challenges. Which ones matter most?
October 15, 2020 22:54The 2020 election and its lead-up have not exactly been your run-of-the-mill election season. American elections often face various challenges, but this year that list of challenges is quite long. First, the world is still in the middle of a pandemic. That’s meant that many states have ramped up mail-in voting, added ballot drop boxes or laid out plans for safety measures around in-person voting. But those pivots and new plans have meant some errors and mix-ups. And some of these voting cha...
A week after we learned of Trump’s covid-19 diagnosis, why don’t we know more?
October 08, 2020 23:53For months, President Trump avoided the novel coronavirus. He did this even without taking basic steps to prevent the virus’s spread, like wearing masks and staying away from large indoor crowds. But, last week, that changed. Trump told the American people via tweet very early Friday morning, that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Later that day, he was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. On Monday, after he’d been administered a cocktail of steroids a...
What happens if Trump refuses to accept a loss?
October 02, 2020 00:12President Trump is not exactly known for his adherence to Washington norms. And his ongoing rhetoric around perhaps the most significant norm of American democracy — the peaceful transition of power — brushes against centuries-old precedent. Though we’ve faced several electoral challenges in our country’s short history, presidential power has always passed peacefully from one commander in chief to the next. This year, though, Trump has declined to agree to accept the results of the 2020 e...
How the Supreme Court became the most trusted branch, and how electoral politics might undo that
September 24, 2020 21:58The passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last week, has created a vacancy on the bench. President Trump and the Republicans have since taken steps toward quickly confirming a conservative replacement for Ginsburg, who was a liberal icon. Trump is expected to announce a nominee late this week, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has suggested confirmation hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee could begin mid-October. Republicans hope the Supreme Court fig...