The Trump Trials: Sidebar
311 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 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.
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Episodes
White House investigation reveals effort to justify Trump’s Ukraine aid decision
November 26, 2019 21:19 - 16.6 MBThe White House’s review of President Trump’s decision to hold up Ukraine military aid found documents showing an extensive effort to justify the move. Reporter Carol Leonnig explains what we know so far about the White House Counsel’s findings.
After a week of hearings, what more do we know?
November 21, 2019 22:10Key witnesses testified publicly in the House impeachment inquiry this week. Reporter Devlin Barrett unpacks complicated details, notable takeaways from the hearings and where things stand in Congress and the White House at the week’s end.
Eight people. Five hearings. Three days.
November 18, 2019 21:59Here’s what to watch for in a week jam-packed with public hearings. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake explains why each of this week’s witnesses is being called to publicly testify and what news might emerge from the busy scene on the Hill.
Eight people. Five Hearings. Three Days.
November 18, 2019 21:59Here’s what to watch for in a week jam-packed with public hearings. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake explains why each of this week’s witnesses is being called to publicly testify and what news might emerge from the busy scene on the Hill.
An ousted ambassador tells her story to Congress
November 15, 2019 22:24Marie Yovanovitch faced lawmakers for hours of testimony Friday. National security reporter Matt Zapotosky breaks down the key moments from the inquiry’s second public hearing. Plus, other impeachment news developments you may have missed this week.
A new inquiry phase and a new revelation: Your guide to the first public impeachment hearing
November 14, 2019 02:35Complete with contentious moments between lawmakers and insight into facts from key witnesses, the first day of impeachment hearings was eventful. Reporter Elise Viebeck breaks down new information and major moments from the day.
What to expect when public hearings begin
November 08, 2019 19:24 - 19.5 MBNext week’s public hearings mark the beginning of the next phase in the impeachment inquiry, but what exactly does this next phase look like? How long will it last? And when might the inquiry wrap up? Congress reporter Mike DeBonis has answers.
When secret testimonies go public
November 06, 2019 20:06Reporter Amber Phillips breaks down the key takeaways of secret testimony transcripts from the House impeachment inquiry released to the public this week. What new insights have we gained and what might we learn as more transcripts emerge?
Congress wants to hear from John Bolton. What might he tell them?
November 01, 2019 18:50 - 14.3 MBFormer national security adviser John Bolton could offer firsthand insight into some Ukraine-related events. But Bolton’s relationship with President Trump is complicated. Reporter John Hudson explains what we might learn if Bolton testifies.
House Democrats unveil rules for impeachment process. What changes now?
October 30, 2019 17:23Pending a House vote on the Democrats’ resolution, the stage will be set for the next phase of the impeachment probe. Congress reporter Mike DeBonis explains what the new procedures and rules mean for the events on Capitol Hill in the weeks ahead.
Republicans’ defense of Trump grows frantic. Will it work?
October 24, 2019 22:59 - 19.5 MBReporter Toluse Olorunnipa explains what GOP lawmakers were trying to achieve Wednesday when they protested in the basement of the Capitol. What role do House Republicans play in defending the president and how much is White House guidance informing them?
If a president is impeached, can they run for reelection?
October 23, 2019 07:00What actually happens to a president who’s impeached? What penalties against removed presidents are written into law? Law professor Jessica Levinson offers insight into how the law comes down on reelecting a president faced with an impeachment inquiry.
McConnell prepped Republicans for a Senate trial. Here’s what that trial might look like.
October 18, 2019 07:00Senate impeachment trials are rare in American history, but there are some rules and precedent for how it all works. Reporter Paul Kane answers questions like: Can the rules change by Senate vote? Who collects evidence? And does public opinion matter?
Closed hearings, document deadlines and unanswered questions
October 15, 2019 23:22Reporter Mike DeBonis explains the information gathering efforts on the Hill this week. Plus, we dig into whether closed door hearings are unusual for a Congressional investigation, and what the inquiry’s pace suggests about the Democrats’ strategy.
How Trump’s Syria decision is testing GOP support
October 11, 2019 07:00First, Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe explains the complexities of the Turkey-Syria conflict. Then, political reporter Robert Costa explains how Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from the border area might be putting his political coalition at risk.
Congress requested depositions. The Trump administration blocked them. Who wins?
October 08, 2019 22:00Reporter Shane Harris breaks down how the State Department blocked the U.S. ambassador to the European Union from testifying to Congress Tuesday. If few testimonies actually happen, what does that mean for the impeachment inquiry going forward?
Does Trump’s urging China to investigate the Bidens complicate the impeachment inquiry?
October 03, 2019 22:52Reporter Aaron Blake explains what makes Trump’s request of China different from that of Ukraine, how federal election law might apply, and where the founders of our country stood on foreign interference in our government.
Are whistleblowers protected from the president?
October 01, 2019 21:36President Trump’s targeted effort to discredit, and reveal the name of, a government employee raises questions about legal protections for whistleblowers -- and the repercussions for whoever might disclose his or her identity to the public.
A whistleblower. A phone call. A tipping point.
September 27, 2019 07:00Reporter Matt Zapotosky on how this fast-paced news week unfolded, what we learned from documents, transcripts and testimonies, and what happens next now that House Speaker Pelosi has opened a formal impeachment inquiry into the president.
California wants its own strict air pollution standards. Trump has other ideas.
September 20, 2019 07:00 - 24.9 MBThe latest move from the Trump administration threatens to set in motion a massive legal battle and plunge automakers into uncertainty. The Post’s Juliet Eilperin explains how much power a president has over national environmental policy.
What happens when a president overrides science?
September 13, 2019 07:00Weather editor Andrew Freedman explains how Trump’s inaccurate hurricane tweet led to worrying implications for NOAA and the NWS, and what happens when a president politicizes scientific institutions.
Summer is an opportunity for presidents. Did Trump take it?
September 06, 2019 07:00Some of President Trump’s allies described a lost summer, full of controversies and missed opportunities. White House reporter Ashley Parker explains how presidents have strategized in summer, and how Trump’s approach is different.
Trump’s latest trade war escalation: Ordering businesses out of China. Can he do that?
August 30, 2019 07:00The commercial war between two economic superpowers has entered a new phase. The Post’s Jeanne Whalen explains whether President Trump’s edict to U.S. business is enforceable and what the latest trade war developments mean for the global economy.
Does the president have the power to buy Greenland?
August 23, 2019 07:00President Trump abruptly canceled a trip to Denmark because the country’s prime minister wouldn’t discuss the purchase of Greenland. Economic policy reporter Damien Paletta explains whether Trump’s effort to purchase Greenland is as unusual as it seems.
How much can a president affect gun policy?
August 09, 2019 07:00After two mass shootings, President Trump is considering background checks and red-flag laws. But he has suggested action on gun control in the past, only to later backtrack. Will this time be different?
How far can a president go to get the intelligence chief he wants?
August 02, 2019 07:00Some officials have questioned whether President Trump’s pick for the Director of National Intelligence might use the position to serve Trump’s political interests. Reporter Shane Harris explains the role of the law in the job’s qualifications.
‘Problematic is an understatement’: Robert Mueller testifies before Congress
July 25, 2019 07:00Wednesday’s hearings marked the first time former special counsel Robert Mueller answered questions about his investigation. The Post’s Justice Department reporter Matt Zapotosky explains the significance of Mueller’s answers.
How Trump’s racist comments can be used against him in court
July 19, 2019 07:00President Trump’s language may be part of his political strategy, but this moment raises questions about what consequences the president can face for using inflammatory language. Fred Barbash explains how Trump’s words can legally work against him.
Trump avoids releasing his business information to the courts — for now
July 12, 2019 07:00A federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit claiming President Trump is illegally profiting from foreign and state government visits to his D.C. hotel. Post legal affairs reporter Ann Marimow untangles the details and implications for our country.
'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.'
July 04, 2019 07:00For this special Fourth of July episode, we’re going back to the beginning. Jeff Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center, explains how the Founding Fathers intended the presidency and how it has evolved.
Trump vs. Iran: A president's choices as commander in chief
June 28, 2019 07:00The president has significant power when it comes to war. Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe explains what led to this escalation with Iran, Trump’s strategy going forward and how recent events affect international perceptions of U.S. might.
Introducing: ‘Moonrise’
June 21, 2019 07:00The 'Can He Do That?' team presents a new Post podcast, 'Moonrise' and showcases a segment from the Post's daily podcast 'Post Reports' about developments in Iran and what it has to say about President Trump's approach to foreign policy.
How the sprawling Democratic field will winnow down to Trump's single opponent
June 14, 2019 07:00What are the pros and cons for Trump in facing a huge number of candidates? National political reporter Michael Scherer explains how the upcoming Democratic primary debates may help narrow the field and what we can expect as campaign season continues.
Here's what happens if Trump imposes tariffs on Mexican imports
June 07, 2019 07:00Does the law allow Trump to tax Mexican imports? Can the Senate stop him from following through on his threat? Economic policy reporter Damian Paletta explains the potential consequences of Mexican tariffs for American consumers and the economy at large.
Investigating an investigation: Barr’s newfound power to declassify materials
May 31, 2019 07:00President Trump gave Attorney General Barr full declassification authority for his audit of the Russia investigation. Reporter Devlin Barrett explains the president's unusual move and how Barr's power is perceived in the intelligence community.
Will they or won't they? Where House Democrats stand on impeachment
May 24, 2019 07:00President Trump cut short a bipartisan infrastructure meeting, telling Democrats he won't work with them until they stop investigating him. Congressional reporter Mike DeBonis explains how Democrats might move forward with legislation and investigations.
Why didn't the White House back an international effort to fight online extremism?
May 17, 2019 07:00At the intersection of regulation and free speech, the "Christchurch Call" presents a challenge for a president who alleges political bias from social media sites. Tech policy reporter Tony Romm explains the potential consequences of Trump's decision.
What happens when a president asserts executive privilege?
May 10, 2019 07:00The conflict between Congress and the White House accelerated as President Trump blocked access to the unredacted Mueller report. Reporter Carol Leonnig explains executive privilege and what Trump's assertion means for Congressional investigations.
How does Attorney General Barr view presidential power?
May 03, 2019 07:00Reporter Devlin Barrett weighs in on Attorney General William Barr's contentious week on the Hill -- a week that raised questions about Barr's views on presidential power and his role as the top national law enforcement officer in the country.
Will Trump stop Congress from obtaining documents and testimonies?
April 26, 2019 07:00Our country is facing a largely unprecedented battle between the White House and Congress. Post investigative reporter Tom Hamburger explains this week's subpoena fights and how the tension between Trump and House Democrats might escalate.
The Mueller report, unpacked
April 18, 2019 22:41After nearly two years, America finally gets its first look at special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's report. The Post's Justice Department reporter Matt Zapotosky explains new insights we've gained from an early look at the details.
Trump dismantled leadership at DHS. Can he fill key vacancies however he wants to?
April 12, 2019 07:00Reporter Nick Miroff explains what shakeups at the Department of Homeland Security mean for U.S. immigration enforcement. Plus, a look at the president's power to fill important vacancies, from Stanford law professor Anne Joseph O'Connell.
Trump's decision to definitely, maybe close the border now -- or a year from now
April 05, 2019 07:00Will Trump ultimately decide to shut down the border? And why keep the country -- including his own administration -- in suspense awaiting a border closing decision? Damian Paletta, the Post's economic policy reporter, explains.
Trump's latest fight against Obamacare: Destroy it in the courts
March 29, 2019 07:00The Post's David Weigel explains the potential political consequences of Monday's Justice Department filling arguing that the Affordable Care Act should be thrown out.
Mueller report: What we still don't know
March 25, 2019 18:34National security reporter Devlin Barrett explains what we know so far about the findings of the special counsel's Russia investigation, what clarity we’ve gained from Attorney General William P. Barr's summary, and what questions remain unanswered.
Does a president ever stop campaigning?
March 22, 2019 07:00President Trump’s campaign for 2020 began shortly after he won the 2016 election. Post reporter Jenna Johnson and U.S. Naval Academy professor Brendan J. Doherty explain how presidents grapple with the inherent tension between campaigning and governing.
Does the president get to decide which planes can fly?
March 15, 2019 07:00Reporter Toluse Olorunnipa explains how global pressure, calls with industry executives and self-proclaimed expertise contributed to Trump's decision to announce an emergency grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 airplanes.
Congressional Democrats ramp up investigations into Trump
March 08, 2019 08:00With congressional reporter Karoun Demirjian, we look at how Capitol Hill's investigations work, how the Democrats are trying to hone their oversight strategy and which lines of inquiry might have significant consequences for the president.
What we learned from Michael Cohen's scathing testimony
March 01, 2019 08:00Marc Fisher wraps up this week's hearings, plus a look at what it was like for reporters experiencing the public hearing in realtime.
Will Trump’s emergency survive legal and congressional challenges?
February 22, 2019 08:00How will legal battles over President Trump's emergency play out in the courts? How will Democrats push back in Congress? Is there anything stopping Trump from starting to build the wall today? The Post's legal affairs correspondent Fred Barbash explains.