Episodes

  • Trump Trials update for 05-19-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-19-2025
    May 19 2025
    Good morning, I'm reporting live on this Monday, May 19, 2025, with the latest developments in Donald Trump's legal battles.

    Just three days ago, on May 16, the Supreme Court issued a significant ruling in A.A.R.P. v. Trump, vacating a Fifth Circuit judgment and remanding the case back for further consideration. The Court has temporarily enjoined the government from removing named plaintiffs or putative class members under the AEA pending the Fifth Circuit's order. This stems from President Trump's March 14th Proclamation, which has been legally challenged on multiple fronts.

    Earlier this month, on May 5th, we saw movement in Pacito v. Trump, where a District Court ordered a compliance framework forcing the government to follow preliminary injunction orders related to refugees. This case directly challenges Trump's controversial suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which has left thousands in limbo since his return to office.

    The legal calendar for Trump remains packed across multiple jurisdictions. His classified documents case continues to work through the appeals process after Judge Cannon granted his motion to dismiss the superseding indictment last July. The government promptly appealed to the 11th Circuit.

    Meanwhile, former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has taken his Georgia criminal case all the way to the Supreme Court, seeking to move it to federal court. In New York, Trump and his co-defendants are appealing Justice Engoron's decisions in the civil fraud case, with Attorney General Letitia James successfully consolidating these appeals.

    In Georgia, several defendants are appealing Judge McAfee's order regarding motions to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis, with oral arguments for all appellants scheduled to be heard together.

    Trump also continues his efforts to remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's state prosecution to federal court, despite previous rejections. His opening brief to the Second Circuit was due last October.

    What's particularly striking about these developments is how they've unfolded against the backdrop of Trump's second term. The Supreme Court's recent ruling signals their willingness to place at least temporary limits on executive authority, even with Trump back in the White House.

    As these cases continue to wind through the courts, they're testing the boundaries of presidential power and setting precedents that will shape our democracy for generations. The coming weeks promise more significant legal developments as the courts grapple with these complex constitutional questions.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-16-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-16-2025
    May 16 2025
    Today is May 16, 2025, and I’ve been closely tracking the flurry of courtroom drama surrounding Donald Trump. It’s felt like headlines haven’t had a break—just keeping up with the sheer amount of legal action attached to Trump’s name is dizzying.

    One of the most heated developments happened in Florida, where Judge Aileen Cannon granted Trump’s motion to dismiss the superseding indictment in the classified documents case. The government, not backing down, filed its notice of appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals almost instantly. The briefing schedule is now underway, and the legal fight over whether Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment and funding were lawful is far from settled. The stakes here are significant, given how central these classified documents are to the larger question of presidential privilege and accountability.

    Meanwhile, in New York, Trump’s legal team is navigating a different path. They’ve appealed both Justice Arthur Engoron’s summary judgment from September 2023 and his final decision from February 2024 in the civil fraud case. New York Attorney General Letitia James moved to consolidate the appeals. Now, the Appellate Division, First Department, has ordered that all arguments will proceed together. The appeals center on whether Trump and his companies fraudulently inflated property values and other assets—an issue that has both civil and political consequences hanging in the balance.

    Georgia is another hot spot, especially with Mark Meadows petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court. He wants to move his state-level criminal case to federal court after the Eleventh Circuit denied his bid. Though this move didn’t directly involve Trump, it’s part of the wider universe of prosecutions linked to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

    And back in Manhattan, Trump has once again attempted to lift his criminal prosecution by District Attorney Alvin Bragg into the federal courts. His latest filing for removal was rejected for being untimely, a setback he tried to counter by seeking Judge Alvin Hellerstein’s permission—denied yet again. Now, Trump’s team is appealing to the Second Circuit, with briefs due later this year.

    If all that weren’t enough, just yesterday at the Supreme Court, the justices heard oral arguments in Trump v. CASA Inc. The dispute centers on birthright citizenship and the reach of executive power, stemming from an executive order Trump issued on his inauguration day this year. Multiple district courts have already blocked the order, and the Supreme Court will now weigh in, with implications for citizenship itself and, likely, for the 2024 campaign narrative.

    In every jurisdiction, from Florida to New York, Georgia to the highest court in the land, Donald Trump faces a legal calendar as relentless and high-stakes as any in American history. Each court date, each appeal, every ruling shapes not only Trump’s personal future but America’s ongoing clash over law, power, and politics.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-14-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-14-2025
    May 14 2025
    I’ve been glued to my screens these past few days, just trying to keep up as Donald Trump’s legal battles keep dominating the headlines. It’s May 14, 2025, and there’s been a flurry of activity in the courts that’s impossible to ignore if you care about American politics or the justice system.

    Let’s start with New York. On May 30, 2024, a Manhattan jury reached a historic decision, finding Donald Trump guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. The case, The People for the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump, stemmed from allegations that he tried to cover up hush money payments during the 2016 campaign. After a dramatic trial that started in April 2024, the verdict arrived with the nation watching. Then, on January 10, 2025, Judge Juan Merchan passed a sentence: an unconditional discharge for the former president. Trump avoided jail time in this criminal case, but the conviction itself was unprecedented—a former president with 34 felony convictions on his record.

    But that’s just part of the story. Down in Florida, things unfolded differently. Back in June 2023, Trump and his aide Walt Nauta were indicted on charges including willfully retaining national defense information and obstruction of justice—essentially, the classified documents case. Judge Aileen Cannon shook up the legal world when, on July 15, 2024, she dismissed the federal indictment entirely, arguing that Special Counsel Jack Smith’s appointment wasn’t lawful. The Justice Department tried to fight back, but by late November 2024, they had dismissed their own appeal, bringing that chapter to a surprising close.

    The courtrooms haven’t emptied yet. Just yesterday, on May 13, 2025, another hearing unfolded: Selections, Inc. et al v. Donald J. Trump et al, in federal court. The public could tune in via teleconference, adding another layer of transparency—and spectacle—to Trump’s ongoing legal saga.

    Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team and prosecutors are locked in appeals and fresh challenges, from New York’s civil fraud appeals against Attorney General Letitia James to attempts to shift criminal cases into federal court and more procedural wrangling that make headlines almost daily. These cases are complex, with overlapping timelines and shifting strategies, but one thing is clear: Donald Trump’s unprecedented legal calendar continues to shape both the courtrooms and the political landscape as the country closely watches what comes next.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-12-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-12-2025
    May 12 2025
    Good morning, I'm reporting to you live on May 12, 2025, with the latest updates on the various legal proceedings involving former President Donald Trump.

    The past week has brought significant developments in Trump's legal landscape. Just three days ago, on May 9th, Trump unveiled his first round of judicial nominees for his second term. These selections have already sparked intense debate across political circles, with critics expressing serious concerns about the qualifications and ideological positions of nominees like Whitney Hermandorfer.

    Looking back at Trump's recent legal battles, perhaps the most notable was his New York criminal case. On January 10th of this year, Justice Juan Merchan delivered the sentencing for Trump following his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The Manhattan jury had found Trump guilty of all charges on May 30th, 2024, in a trial that captivated the nation for weeks. Despite the felony convictions, Justice Merchan ultimately sentenced Trump to an unconditional discharge, meaning no jail time or probation was imposed.

    The classified documents case in Florida took a dramatic turn last year when Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the entire federal indictment against Trump on July 15th, 2024. Her ruling stated that Special Counsel Jack Smith had been improperly appointed and funded. Though Smith initially appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Justice Department ultimately dismissed the appeal against Trump on November 29th, 2024, effectively ending that prosecution. The appeals against Trump's co-defendants, Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, were similarly dismissed in late January of this year.

    Trump's legal calendar has been extraordinarily complex, with multiple cases proceeding simultaneously across different jurisdictions. Court records show a flurry of legal filings throughout late 2024, with numerous decisions, orders, and letters filed in the New York case alone between November and January.

    As Trump now shifts focus to his judicial appointments, the legal battles that dominated headlines throughout 2023 and 2024 appear to be largely resolved. The outcomes of these cases have undoubtedly shaped the political landscape as Trump begins his second term.

    This is just the latest chapter in what has been an unprecedented period in American legal and political history. I'll continue to bring you updates as new developments emerge in this extraordinary saga.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-11-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-11-2025
    May 11 2025
    Good morning, America. I'm standing here today, May 11th, 2025, reflecting on what has been an unprecedented legal journey for former President Donald Trump. Just four months into 2025, and the aftermath of numerous court battles continues to shape our political landscape.

    Back in January, we witnessed the conclusion of the Manhattan criminal case where Trump faced charges of falsifying business records. On January 10th, Justice Merchan delivered his sentence - an unconditional discharge - following the Manhattan jury's verdict from May 30th last year that found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts. This marked the first time in American history that a former president was convicted of felony crimes.

    Meanwhile, the classified documents case in Florida took a dramatic turn. Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the entire indictment against Trump last July, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed and funded. The Justice Department initially appealed to the 11th Circuit but ultimately dropped their appeal against Trump in late November 2024, followed by dismissing appeals against his co-defendants Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira in January of this year.

    The legal calendar for Trump has been relentless. Just yesterday, news broke that the Supreme Court is preparing to review what critics have described as a "power grab" by the President. The justices will be examining the constitutional limits of presidential authority in a case that could have far-reaching implications.

    Trump's legal team has been working overtime, filing appeals in multiple jurisdictions. In the New York civil fraud case, Trump and his co-defendants have appealed both Justice Engoron's September 2023 summary judgment and his February 2024 final decision. The Appellate Division consolidated these appeals at the request of New York Attorney General Letitia James.

    In Georgia, former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has taken his case all the way to the Supreme Court, seeking to move his state criminal case to federal court after the 11th Circuit dismissed his previous attempt.

    Trump himself has made another attempt to remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's state prosecution to federal court, though his filing was rejected as deficient and his request for leave was denied by Judge Hellerstein. His appeal to the Second Circuit is still pending.

    As we move deeper into 2025, these legal battles continue to unfold against the backdrop of Trump's controversial judicial appointments, which many legal experts have characterized as transformative for the federal judiciary. The intersection of legal proceedings and politics remains a defining feature of our current moment in American history.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-09-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-09-2025
    May 9 2025
    Good morning, I'm reporting live on the latest developments in the legal saga surrounding former President Donald Trump. It's Friday, May 9th, 2025, and the past few months have seen significant developments in Trump's various legal battles.

    Earlier this year, on January 10th, Justice Juan Merchan sentenced Donald Trump to unconditional discharge following his conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan. This marked the conclusion of the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president, which had captivated the nation since it began on April 15th, 2024, resulting in the jury's guilty verdict last May.

    Meanwhile, in the classified documents case in Florida, a dramatic turn occurred when Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the federal indictment against Trump last July, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed and funded. Though the Justice Department initially appealed to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, they ultimately dropped the appeal against Trump in late November 2024, followed by dismissing appeals against his co-defendants Waltine Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira in January of this year.

    The legal calendar continues to be packed with Trump-related proceedings. Mark Meadows, Trump's former chief of staff, has petitioned the Supreme Court following the 11th Circuit's dismissal of his attempt to move his Georgia criminal case to federal court.

    In the New York civil fraud case, Trump and his co-defendants have filed appeals against Justice Engoron's decisions from last year. Attorney General Letitia James successfully requested to consolidate these appeals, which are now proceeding with a single record and set of briefs.

    Just three months ago, in February, a new lawsuit emerged challenging the Trump administration's handling of the refugee processing system. The case, Pacito v. Trump, was filed on February 10th with plaintiffs seeking a preliminary injunction the following day.

    Trump is also making another attempt to remove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's state prosecution to federal court. After his second notice of removal was rejected and Judge Hellerstein denied his request for leave, Trump appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

    As these cases continue to unfold, the intersection of law and politics remains at the forefront of American discourse, with each development adding new chapters to this unprecedented legal saga surrounding the former president.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-07-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-07-2025
    May 7 2025
    Good morning, viewers. I'm reporting live from Washington, D.C., where the legal landscape surrounding former President Donald Trump continues to evolve rapidly. Just yesterday, a significant development emerged when Eric Iverson, a U.S. citizen and prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, filed a complaint against President Trump and several cabinet members including Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    The case, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on May 5th, appears to involve Iverson's work as lead prosecutor in cases against individuals accused of war crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan. This adds yet another layer to the complex web of legal challenges facing the Trump administration.

    Meanwhile, the classified documents case in Florida has taken a dramatic turn. Judge Cannon granted Trump's motion to dismiss the superseding indictment based on allegations regarding Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment. The government quickly filed an appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and a briefing schedule is now in place.

    In New York, defendants in the civil fraud case have appealed Justice Engoron's decisions from both September 2023 and February 2024. Attorney General Letitia James successfully requested the consolidation of these appeals, which will now proceed with a single record and set of briefs.

    Georgia's criminal case continues its complex journey through the courts. Former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has petitioned the Supreme Court following the 11th Circuit's dismissal of his attempt to move his state criminal case to federal court. Additionally, defendants are appealing Judge McAfee's order regarding motions to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis.

    In Manhattan, Trump is making another attempt to move District Attorney Alvin Bragg's state prosecution to federal court. After filing a second notice of removal that was rejected as deficient, Trump's request for leave was denied by Judge Hellerstein. He's now appealed to the Second Circuit, with his opening brief due October 14th.

    Just two days ago, on May 5th, the House floor proceedings reflected the contentious political climate surrounding these legal battles.

    Refugee rights organizations have also become entangled in the administration's legal issues. A court recently ordered the administration to process refugee cases, provide resettlement support, and fund organizations handling resettlement or face sanctions.

    As these legal proceedings continue to unfold across multiple jurisdictions, the impact on both the political landscape and policy implementation remains profound. We'll continue to bring you updates as this unprecedented situation develops.
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    3 mins
  • Trump Trials update for 05-04-2025

    Trump Trials update for 05-04-2025
    May 4 2025
    These past few days, the legal saga swirling around Donald Trump has reached new heights, with courtroom dramas unfolding across the country and even reaching the steps of the Supreme Court. I’ve been following the action closely, and the sheer number of legal battles and their political implications are nothing short of astonishing.

    Let’s start in Manhattan, New York, where things came to a head last year but still reverberate today. Back in March 2023, a grand jury indicted Donald Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—an historic first for a former president. After a trial that gripped the nation, a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all counts by the end of May 2024. In January 2025, Justice Juan Merchan sentenced him to an unconditional discharge; that means Trump was found guilty, but the court chose not to impose jail time, probation, or a fine. The verdict’s impact, however, continues to play out in public perception and upcoming appeals.

    Meanwhile, in Florida, Trump faced a separate federal case involving classified documents. He was indicted for allegedly retaining national defense information, obstructing justice, and making false statements. The proceedings took a dramatic turn in July 2024, when Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the indictment, citing the alleged improper appointment and funding of Special Counsel Jack Smith. The Department of Justice tried to appeal but ultimately dismissed its appeal by the end of January 2025, putting this particular prosecution on hold—for now.

    Then there’s the raft of appeals and procedural wrangling happening in other cases. Trump and his legal team are locked in battles over issues ranging from state-level charges in Georgia to the New York civil fraud case brought by Attorney General Letitia James. In New York, all the appeals related to that civil fraud suit have now been consolidated, streamlining what would otherwise be a tangled web of legal arguments into one massive showdown.

    At the same time, Trump hasn’t shied away from the spotlight—he’s petitioned courts to move more cases to federal jurisdiction, with mixed results, and just in the past few days, his legal team pushed the Supreme Court to rule on the reach of nationwide injunctions and administrative authority. Meanwhile, another scheduled hearing is looming on May 13, as the Court of International Trade prepares to take up arguments over Trump-era tariffs, a case with high stakes for both trade law and presidential power.

    The legal calendar for Donald Trump is relentless. Whether it’s criminal or civil, state or federal, the courtroom battles show no sign of slowing. Each new filing, hearing, and decision keeps the nation—and the world—watching, as Trump’s unprecedented legal journey continues to make headlines and history.
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    3 mins
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