• MSNBC

    Trump’s first criminal trial poses a dire political problem — and it’s only going to get worse

    Conventional political wisdom suggests the first criminal trial of Donald Trump, which got underway in Manhattan last week, will have a minimal effect on the 2024 election. Many political observers see the allegations — covering up hush money payments ahead of the 2016 election — as relatively trifling, and certainly not comparable to the other three indictments Trump faces in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. Even a guilty verdict in the trial would “be unlikely to have a big influence come...

  • Trump's prosecutors have a 'secret weapon' they may call on in criminal case: legal expert

    The courtroom chess play going on as Manhattan prosecutors try former President Donald Trump for allegedly criminally falsifying business records is one that not only keeps the defense guessing — but features a "secret weapon." "She's really key," legal analyst Terri Austin told CNN's Erin Burnett on "Out Front." Austin was discussing none other than superstar witness Stephanie Clifford whose porn star stage name is the more familiar Stormy Daniels. ALSO READ: Noem book describing dog...

  • Hush money jury composition shows things aren't 'going to go well for Trump': legal expert

    Former President Donald Trump has drawn a difficult jury to defend against, former prosecutor Kristy Greenberg argued to MSNBC's Chris Hayes on Friday evening. "Let's talk about the jury, because we now have 12 jurors and six alternates," said Hayes. "What is your impression — what are your thoughts on how this jury has come together, what the composition looks like?""Well, you have two lawyers on this jury," said Greenberg. "Then you have in addition, three individuals who say close family...

  • President Joe Biden says he’s ‘happy to debate’ Donald Trump. Trump says he’s ready to go

    By AAMER MADHANI (The Associated Press) NEW YORK (AP) — President Joe Biden said Friday that he is willing to debate his presumptive Republican opponent, Donald Trump, later this fall – his most definitive comment yet on the issue. The comment came during an interview with the Sirius XM radio host Howard Stern, who asked […]

    • CNN

    ‘He was rattled’: Legal expert reacts to Trump’s statement after hearing

    Criminal defense attorney Stacey Schneider says that former President Donald Trump was “rattled” following a Sandoval hearing in the New York hush money trial where he heard a recounting of his criminal history.

  • Contempt ruling could cost Trump his bail in every criminal case: expert

    Former federal prosecutor and legal analyst Glenn Kirschner warned that if Judge Juan Merchan decides Donald Trump violated his gag order, it could have knock-on consequences in all of his criminal cases.Speaking to MSNBC on Monday, Kirschner said the conditions of Trump's bail in every indictment he faces are that he will not commit any other crimes. If Trump is held in contempt of court, he has done exactly that."Let's face it," Kirschner began, "we have a contempt hearing coming up where it...

  • The central question hanging over Trump’s legal cases: From the Politics Desk

    Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the campaign trail, the White House and Capitol Hill. In today’s edition, senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett explores the key question that has lingered over Donald Trump's legal proceedings this week. Plus, with the Ukraine aid package now passed, "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker looks ahead to the next big fight facing...

    • KIFI

    Opinion: I’ve been a criminal attorney for decades. Here’s what I think about the case against Trump

    Opinion by Joey Jackson, CNN (CNN) — It was a little more than a year ago, on April 3, 2023, that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced a 34-count criminal indictment against former President Donald J. Trump. Now the trial against Trump is set to begin, with opening statements scheduled to get underway Monday

  • Trump is keeping his lawyers from trying a strategy that will help his case: legal expert

    The lawyers tasked with swaying a jury in Donald Trump's favor during the second week of the historic criminal hush money trial in New York City are going down a "hard road." That's according to former federal prosecutor Harry Litman. He believes the defense is hamstrung because the 45th president won't let his reputation be tarnished. Even as sordid details of his conduct are slowly fogging the air in the trial that is expected to last six to eight weeks before a jury deliberates.ALSO...

  • Prosecutors, Defense Make Their Opening Arguments In Trump’s First Criminal Trial

    Follow along with us below as we cover the first criminal trial of a former U.S. President.

  • 'Alarming': Expert says prosecutors are panicking about one juror in Trump's criminal case

    The prosecution team may need to be wary of Juror No. 2. Described as a married investment banker with a Master's degree is one thing. But the fact that he's read Trump’s bestselling book, "The Art of the Deal," and claims to track Trump's Truth Social posts — is another, according to one expert. Elliot Williams, a former deputy assistant attorney general at the DOJ, flagged this particular juror as a potential concern for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prove his case to a jury...

  • Trump hush money trial transcripts go live amid historic criminal case

    The New York City court where former President Donald Trump stands accused of falsifying business records to cover up payments to an adult film star has published the transcripts from the first day of his trial. It can read here. The 120-page document details the dialogue of Trump's first day in the Manhattan criminal courtroom where he and his attorneys face off against District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his legal team. "Good morning, your Honor, counsel, members of the jury," begins Matthew...