The Trump Trials: Sidebar
324 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 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
How to Flip the House: A prologue on why midterm elections matter
June 25, 2018 07:00 - 7.16 MBIn the last 60 years, the House of Representatives has changed political control just three times: in 1994, 2006, and 2010. What do those midterms tell us about what it takes to flip the House? And about why midterm elections matter?
A week of mixed messaging on border separations
June 22, 2018 22:44 - 22.3 MBPost reporter Mary Jordan helps us look back at a week of conflicting statements and rapid reversals amid an outcry over immigration policy and border separations.
The DOJ report on Comey: What you should know
June 15, 2018 21:35 - 24.9 MBPost reporter Devlin Barrett joins us for a special episode to talk about the Justice Department inspector general's report on the FBI investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.
'A meet-and-greet-plus': What to expect from Trump's sit-down with Kim Jong Un
June 09, 2018 07:00 - 29.2 MBTrump is set to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on Tuesday. How will the president navigate the high-stakes negotiations?
The Tale of the 'Trump Triers'
May 26, 2018 07:00 - 29.1 MBWill tried-and-true Democrats in the Midwest who voted for Trump in 2016 continue supporting the president? And what do their evolving views say about the rest of the country?
What to expect in Year Two of the Mueller investigation
May 19, 2018 07:00 - 34.8 MBOne year into the Mueller investigation, we ask: What happens next? And what if President Trump is right, and this all turns out to be nothing?
The president is backing out of the Iran Nuclear Deal. Will ‘the Trump Doctrine’ work?
May 11, 2018 20:41 - 35.9 MBPresident Trump’s decision could unilaterally kill the landmark agreement — and his unconventional foreign policy approach could have widespread repercussions.
Midterms and Trump: What to look for as we enter primary season
May 05, 2018 07:00 - 28 MBWhat does the state of the midterm season say about President Trump, and his effect on the political landscape of the country?
Will Trump get Americans off of welfare?
April 28, 2018 07:00 - 25.5 MBRecent Trump executive actions are part of an effort to curb the number of people who rely on the government-funded "social safety net." How will these new restrictions affect low-income Americans?
Will courts let the Trump administration put a citizenship question on the Census?
April 21, 2018 07:00 - 34.6 MBThe Trump Administration wants to ask people about their citizenship status on the 2020 Census. Why are Democrats fighting this?
Special episode: Trump’s lawyer got raided by the FBI. Now what will Trump do?
April 12, 2018 21:56 - 22.2 MBThis week, we talk with reporter Matt Zapotosky about the FBI raid on attorney Michael Cohen — and potential implications for President Trump and the future of Robert Mueller's investigation.
Will Trump change how America pays for its infrastructure?
April 07, 2018 07:00 - 34.9 MBSo far, there's no $1.5 trillion infrastructure package. But Trump is still having a significant effect on how America funds and prioritizes its most significant transportation projects.
Will Trump change America's relationship with internet privacy?
March 31, 2018 07:00 - 32.2 MBConfused about the Cambridge Analytica scandal and how it relates to President Trump? You're not alone. Reporter Tony Romm and internet privacy expert Daniel Kreiss take us on a deep dive.
When will Trump stop firing people and settle on his ‘A-team’?
March 24, 2018 07:00 - 29.4 MBThe firings, resignations, and ousters in the White House have reached a crescendo. What does that say about Trump – as a manager, as a policy-maker, and as a public persona?
Will Trump convince Kim Jong-Un to give up nuclear weapons?
March 17, 2018 07:00 - 37.6 MBPresident Trump says he will sit down with North Korea and negotiate a deal on nuclear disarmament. On this week’s episode of “Can He Do That,” we talk to someone who’s tried that before.
Does the President have the power to downsize the government?
March 10, 2018 08:00 - 22 MBSince President Trump entered office, he's promised a radical restructuring of the federal government — including significant cuts to the size of the federal workforce. But that hasn't happened yet. On this episode, we ask: What's the hold-up?
Should the president run the White House like a family business?
March 02, 2018 21:22 - 28.2 MBOn this week's episode, we talk about presidential family members, and about Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and embattled senior adviser. What happens when a president's own children wield influence in the White House?
Will teen victims of school shootings force a change in federal gun laws?
February 21, 2018 23:34 - 22.3 MBIn this week's episode, Post reporters John Woodrow Cox and Wesley Lowery talk about their experiences covering school shootings — and why the outraged message from South Florida teens might get some traction with lawmakers, and with Trump.
Will Trump strike a deal on the Dream Act?
February 16, 2018 22:41 - 26 MBCongress has been kicking around versions of the Dream Act for almost two decades — and yet, the latest debates in the Senate suggests that lawmakers are still can't come up with a long-term solution for Dreamers. Can Trump strike a deal on the Dream Act?
Special episode: The Nunes memo and what it means
February 02, 2018 23:36 - 18 MBThe House Intelligence Committee publicly released a memo Friday, and it has Washington D.C. in a whirlwind. National security reporter Matt Zapotosky explains what's in the memo, why it's been so controversial and what happens next.
Special episode: Trump's first State of the Union address
January 31, 2018 08:41 - 29.4 MBWashington Post senior editor Marc Fisher and political reporter Eugene Scott discuss the major themes of President Trump's first State of the Union address -- what he said, what it means, and what comes next.
Special episode: A State of the Union listening guide
January 26, 2018 08:00 - 16.5 MBNational political correspondent Karen Tumulty and senior editor Marc Fisher discuss what they’ll be listening for in Trump’s first State of the Union address.
Special episode: One year after Trump’s inauguration, we revisit his speech
January 19, 2018 08:00 - 39.9 MBOne year ago, President Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. In his speech, he painted his picture of America and made promises for his presidency. White House correspondents Jenna Johnson and Josh Dawsey listen back and discuss.
We'll be back in 2018
December 15, 2017 08:00 - 6.5 MBWith highlights from some of this year's best episodes, Allison Michaels signs off for now.
Special episode: What does Doug Jones's win in Alabama mean for the country?
December 13, 2017 08:00 - 31 MBRobert Costa reports on voter sentiment from Alabama. Plus, we dive into what happens for Trump, Congress, and party divisions in our country now that Alabama has elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate.
Trump's lawyer says a president can't obstruct justice. Can he?
December 08, 2017 08:00 - 34.2 MBPulitzer Prize-winning reporter Sari Horwitz guides us through Trump's lawyers' comments on obstruction of justice. Plus, legal experts weigh in on differing legal perspectives and how presidential pardoning may play a role in obstruction.
Is Trump reshaping an entire branch of government -- the judiciary?
December 01, 2017 08:00 - 32.4 MBSupreme Court reporter Robert Barnes weighs in on presidential influence on the federal courts system. Plus, we talk to a political science professor about the demographic breakdown of Trump’s nominees and how it differs from that of presidents past.
Why do American presidents pardon turkeys anyway? A holiday episode.
November 22, 2017 08:00 - 8.55 MBWhere did this tradition come from? What does it mean to “pardon" a turkey? We’ve got you covered in this special holiday episode with Post reporter Jessica Contrera who attend the annual tradition at the White House.
Trump’s pressuring the Justice Dept to investigate Clinton. Can he do that?
November 17, 2017 08:00 - 36.2 MBWhat are the limitations of a president's influence on the Justice Dept? Reporter Devlin Barrett offers the latest news, fact checker Glenn Kessler unpacks Uranium One, and a once dep. special counsel explains risks for politicizing the Justice Dept.
One year since Trump's election: Live show
November 10, 2017 08:00 - 72.7 MBBob Woodward, David Fahrenthold and Karen Tumulty join Allison Michaels live on stage at Washington, DC's Warner Theatre for a look back on the past year, an exploration of where this presidency fits into history and plenty of laughs.
How much power does a president have to prevent terrorist attacks?
November 03, 2017 07:00 - 26.5 MBReporter David Nakamura helps us answer: Can Trump keep us safe from terror attacks? We talk to an expert to learn how terrorist groups recruit. Plus, we examine how much power presidents have to influence counterterrorism policy.
Special episode: Trump's associates have been indicted. Can Trump himself emerge unscathed?
October 31, 2017 10:00 - 18.5 MBWhat do developments in the Mueller investigation mean for Trump? Are indictments proof that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 election? Reporter Matt Zapotosky answers these questions on a special break-in episode.
Will Trump lose GOP majorities in 2018 if he keeps fighting with Republican lawmakers?
October 27, 2017 07:00 - 28.2 MBPublic criticism of the president from GOP senators seems unprecedented. But is it? Reporter Sean Sullivan weighs in on implications for the 2018 election. Plus, historian Dr. Laurence Jurdem on what FDR's past actions mean for Trump today.
Will President Trump end the opioid crisis?
October 20, 2017 07:00 - 25.7 MBHow much power does the president have to solve a crisis that kills so many Americans? Reporter Scott Higham takes us on a deep dive into The Post-60 Minutes investigation of the pharmaceutical industry's influence on America’s opioid epidemic.
Is it within a president's power to strip broadcast licenses?
October 13, 2017 07:00 - 25.5 MBWe revisit the president-press relationship with media columnist Margaret Sullivan and talk to reporter Aaron Blake about President Nixon. Plus, Georgetown's Andrew Jay Schwartzman explains limitations of the Federal Communications Commission.
Did Trump advisers break the law by using personal email for White House business?
September 29, 2017 07:00 - 25.3 MBHow does use of private email by Trump’s advisers compare to Clinton’s? We answer key questions with political investigations reporter Rosalind Helderman and former White House Staff Secretary and current global security and data lawyer Rajesh De.
What can Paul Manafort's actions tell us about the Trump campaigns ties to Russia?
September 22, 2017 07:00 - 28.6 MBPulitzer Prize-winner Carol Leonnig explains the complexities of Manafort's involvement in the Mueller investigation. Plus law professor Jimmy Gurulé on where Manafort’s actions may cross a legal line. Can Manafort walk away from this unscathed?
Will Trump be able to work with Democrats and still maintain the support of his base?
September 15, 2017 07:00 - 24.3 MBThe Post's Robert Costa adds insight to Trump's latest deals with Democrats and what they mean for his political future. Plus, Nick Troiano of the Centrist Project explains America's political parties and the risks of a system ideologically divided.
What does Trump really want for the 'dreamers'?
September 08, 2017 07:00 - 39.7 MBWhat does Trump hope will happen in Congress? With white house reporter David Nakamura, we talk to John Sandweg, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement acting director about policy. Plus, a dreamer in the DACA program shares her story.
Will Trump get emergency response funding for Texas, as promised?
September 01, 2017 07:00 - 28.1 MBHow does Trump’s response to this natural disaster compare to that of past presidents? We talk to former FEMA administrator R. David Paulison. Plus, congressional reporter Mike DeBonis is back on the show to break down how relief funding works.
What's lost when a president opts out of ceremonial duties?
August 25, 2017 07:00 - 24.9 MBWith chief correspondent Dan Balz, we answer: Can a president fail to participate in tradition? Plus, we learn how President Reagan handled similar events and we talk to a former White House Social Secretary about planning these moments.
Does a president need to unify the country to govern effectively?
August 18, 2017 07:00 - 30.7 MBIn the aftermath of violence in Charlottesville, Va., we examine the history of political appeals to white fear and how past presidents have responded to crises. The award-winning Wesley Lowery weighs in on the state of race relations in America.
How much power does a president have to lead us to nuclear war?
August 11, 2017 07:00 - 40.8 MBWith insight from White House reporter Jenna Johnson, we learn the answers to this critical question from an expert in North Korean history and a professor who’s worked in past White Houses on counter proliferation and nuclear arms control.
Will Trump's new chief of staff fix a White House in chaos?
August 04, 2017 07:00 - 21.9 MBCan Kelly bring order to the White House? We talk to Kristine Simmons from the Bush White House, Chris Whipple, author of "Gatekeepers: How The White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency," and Greg Jaffe who has reported on Kelly for years.
Is it unusual for a president to publicly berate members of his own cabinet?
July 28, 2017 07:00 - 22.7 MBCan a president fire the attorney general? How much influence does a president have over the Justice Department? Reporter Ashley Parker, historian Tim Naftali and law professor Steve Vladeck on the politics, historical context and legal limitations.
Trump promised to bring back American jobs, can he do that?
July 21, 2017 07:00 - 30.9 MBWhat can a president do to revive an industry in decline? Amy Goldstein, author of “Janesville: An American Story,” tells us what happens to people when factories close. Plus, Scott Paul of Alliance for American Manufacturing on how to help the industry.
Did Donald Trump Jr.'s meeting with a Russian lawyer violate the law?
July 14, 2017 07:00 - 36 MBJens David Ohlin, vice dean at Cornell Law School, explains the legal boundaries and political consultant Tracy Sefl takes us into the world of opposition research. Plus, "Trump Revealed" author Marc Fisher on the president's reaction to the news.
Will Trump deliver on his health-care promises? (Part II)
June 30, 2017 07:00 - 27.7 MBHealth policy reporter Paige Cunningham breaks down the Senate bill and explains what’s at stake. Plus, we talk to Republican Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Ariz., about how health care legislation directly affects his constituents.
Special episode: Obama's secret struggle to punish Russia for Putin's election assault
June 23, 2017 11:00 - 26.2 MBIn an exclusive report, The Post's national security team goes inside the Obama administration's decision-making after the CIA captured Putin issuing these instructions: defeat Clinton and help elect Trump. Reporter Greg Miller tells the story.
How much of Obama's Cuba policies could Trump rollback?
June 16, 2017 07:00 - 30.4 MBWill Trump's policy toward Cuba undo the Obama administration's efforts to normalize relations? What's at stake? Karen DeYoung answers those questions. Plus, the history of U.S-Cuba relations and Obama's special assistant on U.S-Cuba negotiations.