As 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.

What makes a president a good (or bad) leader?

The 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.

News

Politics

True crime

This week, the crew dives into the strongest and weakest parts of the prosecution's case against former president Donald Trump in his New York Trial – and the key moments that might stick with jurors.

Law enforcement reporters Shayna Jacobs and Devlin Barrett join the show to break down what will happen after the jury returns from a full week off from the trial: Final arguments, jury instructions, and then jury deliberations.

Plus, what are the possible outcomes when the jury returns a verdict?

Verdict incoming

This week, the crew discusses former Trump attorney Michael Cohen's testimony and cross-examination by defense lawyers – and whether Cohen ended up being the star witness prosecutors hoped for.

Law enforcement reporter Tom Jackman joins the show to discuss what he's seen in court, whether the jury is likely to believe Cohen's testimony, and the tight-rope Justice Juan Merchan has walked in trying to control Trump.

Plus, a whole host of Republican politicians have attended court this week to support Trump. Why are they there, and what are they accomplishing?

Take a Friend to Court Day

The crew gathers for a special Monday episode all about former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who was called to testify in Trump's New York trial by prosecutors on Monday morning.

Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann sit down with political investigations reporter Peter Jamison to discuss Cohen's past as Trump's self-described "fixer," and Cohen's claims that he has changed since leaving Trump's employment.

Plus, national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett returns to the show to discuss why Cohen is one of the key witnesses in the New York trial.

Special episode: The Fixer

On this week's episode, the crew discusses adult film actress Stormy Daniels' testimony about her sexual encounter with the former president, and whether the prosecution went too far in asking for specific details. 

And senior video journalist Jorge Ribas joins the show from outside the Manhattan courthouse where the trial is taking place, to reveal what it's like covering the trial and what reporters can actually see.

Plus, video journalist Blair Guild breaks down former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's regular TikTok live broadcasts – a surprising move from one of the prosecution's key witnesses.

Stormy and the bookkeepers

In this week's episode, the crew discusses Judge Juan Merchan's finding that former president Donald Trump is in contempt of court, the $9,000 fine he faces, and what could happen if he continues violating the gag order imposed by the court.

Washington Post Senior National Political Correspondent Ashley Parker joins the show to talk about Hope Hicks, the former Trump aide who could be called to testify soon.

What makes a president a good (or bad) leader?

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