Breakdown: The Trump Indictment

This episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Breakdown” podcast focuses on the interaction between the judge, Donald Trump’s attorney and the prosecution over the possibility of the trial being held next August. Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, making his courtroom debut, contends having the trial at that time would constitute election interference. Special prosecutor Nathan Wade disagrees. And Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee has questions he wants answered. “Election Interference?” – Episode 20 of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers social media posts by defendant Trevian Kutti that some legal experts say could get her bond revoked and land her in jail. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fani Willis makes a fiery courtroom debut in the latest episode of "Breakdown: The Trump Indictment." In episode 19, "Walking the Line," we'll take you inside the Fulton County courthouse to hear Willis argue that bond should be revoked for a Donald Trump co-defendant who had been repeatedly attacking potential witnesses on social media. Harrison Floyd has been one of the most combative defendants in the case, and his lawyers argued that while he "walked up close to the line," his posts were protected free speech. Hear what Judge Scott McAfee had to say on the matter and how it could provide a sneak peek of the battle to come with another social media fan - Trump. You can follow the Breakdown podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this bonus episode of “Breakdown,” two legal veterans analyze the latest developments in Fulton County’s election subversion case against Donald Trump and his supporters. Former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter and Atlanta defense attorney Bob Rubin discuss whether we are likely to see more plea deals. They also give us their opinions of those apology letters the district attorney demanded and tell us what it’s really like to try a long complicated criminal case. The episode includes an update on Harrison Floyd, who could have his bond revoked because of social media posts and comments prosecutors say amount to threats against witnesses. Could Floyd end up back behind bars at the Fulton County Jail? In “Breakdown Bonus: Thanksgiving Edition” of Breakdown’s Season 10, “The Trump Indictment” we’ll also answer reader questions, including what happens to Trump’s presidential run if he is convicted in Fulton County and what’s going on with case against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones? You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Breakdown podcast focuses on the videotaped interviews with Fulton County prosecutors by the four defendants who had struck plea deals. After the so-called proffers by Sydney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Chesebro and Scott Hall became public, the District Attorney's Office called for a sealing of all documents turned over in discovery and suggested one of the 15 remaining defendants was to blame for the leak. During her lengthy interview, Powell gave some remarkable commentary while Ellis recounted a halting discussion she had with a senior White House aide at a 2020 Christmas party. "The Proffers" — Episode 17 of Breakdown's Season 10, "The Trump Indictment" — also covers a court hearing held following the leaked proffers and which included a startling revelation. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Breakdown episode includes an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mark Niesse, who explains the GBI investigation of the data breach in South Georgia’s Coffee County. Niesse, who covers voting for the newspaper, recaps a yearlong investigation into the Jan. 7, 2021, data breach. He summarizes highlights taken from an almost 400-page GBI investigative report, which was recently obtained by the AJC. “The Fraud Hunters” – Episode 16 of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers a recent hearing in which defendant Harrison Floyd’s lawyer said he wants mountainous state and Fulton County voting information to prove that Donald Trump, not President Joe Biden, won the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Floyd, the onetime head of Black Voices for Trump, stands indicted for three felony counts stemming from his alleged role in the harassment of poll worker Ruby Freeman. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Breakdown episode includes an exclusive interview with the lawyer who represents Jenna Ellis, who once represented former President Donald Trump and who entered a guilty plea in the Fulton County election interference case. Macon attorney Frank Hogue describes how negotiations with Fulton prosecutors transpired before Ellis entered her guilty plea on Oct. 24. She was sentenced to five years on probation and agreed to fully cooperate with prosecutors as the case moves forward. “Inside the Ellis Plea Deal” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also reports on defendant Harrison Floyd’s legal strategy and the recent indictment of an Alabama man accused of threatening Fulton District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Patrick Labat. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Breakdown episode covers the guilty plea hearings of lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis, both of whom were charged with former President Donald Trump in the election interference case. Chesebro entered his guilty plea – to a felony – the day after co-defendant Sidney Powell struck her plea deal with Fulton County prosecutors. Four days later, attorney Jenna Ellis entered her own guilty plea, also to a felony. “Copping a Plea” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also examines the implications of these deals, in which the defendants have agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. You can also stream it above. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Breakdown episode covers the surprise guilty plea of lawyer Sidney Powell, who infamously said she would “release the Kraken” when falsely promising she would produce widespread evidence of election fraud. Powell entered her guilty plea one day before jury selection was to begin. Instead, fellow attorney Kenneth Chesbro, who like Powell filed a speedy trial demand, will stand trial on racketeering and other charges. “The Kraken’s Released” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also explains why an obscure ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court earlier this year means time is of the essence to seat a jury in Chesebro’s case. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Donald Trump and his co-defendants stand trial for allegedly trying to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election, the public will be able to watch. Fulton County is the only jurisdiction that’s indicted the former president on criminal charges where cameras are allowed in the courtroom. Episode 12 of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Breakdown” podcast — “The Trump Indictment” — features a lively debate between two lawyers who disagree on whether that’s a good idea. Steve Brill founded Court TV and has been a vocal proponent of public access to judicial proceedings. Nick Ackerman is a former Watergate prosecutor who’s an attorney in New York and wrote an essay in the New York Times arguing why cameras in the courtroom could lead to juror and witness intimidation. The episode will also catch listeners up on the latest developments in the case - from Republicans seeking sanctions against Fulton DA Fani Willis to a peek at the witness list for the upcoming trial of Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 11 of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Breakdown” podcast — “The Trump Indictment” — we discuss the first plea deal in Fulton County’s wide-ranging election subversion case and what it could mean for the 18 remaining defendants. In exchange for testifying for the prosecution, Atlanta bail bondsman Scott Hall will remain out of jail. He pled guilty to five misdemeanor counts — less severe than the seven felonies he initially faced. We’ll also dig into the surprise announcement from Donald Trump’s lawyers that they would not try to move his case to federal court. Atlanta appellate lawyer Andrew Fleischman and defense attorney Rachel Kaufman join us to share their thoughts on the case so far. Follow Breakdown on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 10 of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast covers two hearings during which lawyers for former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and three Republican electors try to remove their cases to federal court in Atlanta. The hearings were before U.S. District Court Judge Steve Jones, who recently denied former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to remove his case from Fulton County Superior Court. “To Remove or not to Remove?” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers an interesting pretrial ruling by Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee and a motion by prosecutors asserting that six attorneys representing various defendants in the racketeering case may have conflicts of interest. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest Breakdown episode examines a federal judge’s ruling denying former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows’ bid to remove his case to U.S. District Court in Atlanta. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones released his 49-page order late Friday afternoon, and his findings could be bad news for former President Donald Trump, whose lawyers have said they will also seek to move his case out of Fulton County Superior Court. “Meadows Is Denied” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also covers a sometimes contentious court hearing before Judge Scott McAfee, who has scheduled an Oct. 23 trial for lawyers Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell. And, as expected, more and more court motions are being filed with accompanying rulings in the election interference case involving 19 defendants. Follow Breakdown on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The eighth episode of Breakdown’s current season by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution digs into the long-awaited report from Fulton County's special purpose grand jury, which spent eight months investigating Donald Trump and his allies. Learn about the 39 people who the the special grand jurors recommended face criminal charges - including one current and two former U.S. senators - and why some of them ultimately didn't end up in District Attorney Fani Willis' racketeering indictment. You'll also get an update on how long prosecutors think a criminal trial against the 19 defendants would take and hear what Willis had to say to a congressman who wants to investigate her office. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Breakdown’s current season by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution contains an exclusive interview with the lawyers for Kenneth Chesebro, one of the 19 defendants charged in the Fulton County racketeering case. Atlanta attorneys Scott Grubman and Manny Arora make state their case as to why they believe charges should not have been brought against their client. Chesebro, a lawyer, has been described as the architect for the slates of alternate electors who cast Electoral College votes for then-President Donald Trump on Dec. 14, 2020. “The Architect” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also includes coverage of a press conference by Gov. Brian Kemp and his thoughts about proposals to reprimand District Attorney Fani Willis for obtaining the indictment against Trump and his allies. You can follow the Breakdown podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sixth episode of Breakdown’s current season by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recaps former chief of staff Mark Meadows’ attempt to transfer the sweeping racketeering case to U.S. District Court in Atlanta. During a daylong hearing, Meadows was the first witness called to the stand. He testified for four hours, including a lengthy cross-examination by special Fulton County prosecutor Anna Cross. “Meadows’ Gambit” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also recounts the strange saga of defendant Harrison Floyd, head of the political group Black Voices for Trump during the 2020 election. Follow Breakdown on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Breakdown from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recaps former President Donald Trump’s historic surrender at the Fulton County jail. “Trump Surrenders” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also recounts a flurry of breaking news in just the past few days: the spectacle of Rudy Giuliani’s surrender, Trump gets a new lawyer, a speedy trial demand is made and District Attorney Fani Willis proposes a new trial date for October. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fourth episode of this season’s Breakdown podcast by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recounts a busy week where lawyers met with prosecutors to get bonds for their clients, including a $200,000 bond for former President Donald Trump. “Show Time at Rice Street” of Breakdown’s Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” – also covers one of the 19 defendants charged in the racketeering case after another surrendering at the Fulton County jail on Rice Street. The episode also includes a roundtable discussion with two Breakdown regulars – former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter and New York attorney Nick Akerman who is a former federal prosecutor who successfully used racketeering indictments against crime families. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third episode of this season’s Breakdown podcast by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution examines the chaotic aftermath of the sweeping racketeering indictment against former President Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants. AJC journalists Bill Rankin, Tamar Hallerman, and Shannon McCaffrey explore one attempt — and at least two others that are expected — to move the case from Fulton Superior Court to the U.S. District Court just a few blocks away. The episode includes reactions from three of the special purpose grand jurors who heard from almost 75 witnesses, recommended charges and collected evidence that was used as the foundation of the racketeering indictment. And it introduces listeners to the 34-year-old judge who was randomly assigned the case. You can download the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of a very long day, a Fulton County grand jury returned a 97-page, 41-count indictment against former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies. Episode 2 – “The Enterprise” – of Season 10 – “The Trump Indictment” of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast takes a look at the sweeping racketeering indictment and who is charged. Some of the defendants are extremely well known, such as a former mayor of New York and a former White House chief of staff. But a few others – such as an Atlanta bail bondsman and a Republican strategist – were not on most legal experts’ radar. This Breakdown episode also looks ahead at what is to come – the surrender of Trump and his 18 co-defendants to Fulton County authorities in the days ahead and possible legal strategies that will come into play. Follow the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first episode of the new season of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Breakdown podcast will catch listeners up on how Fulton County prosecutors have accumulated evidence against Donald Trump and his allies. ‘How We Got Here’ of Breakdown’s Season 10 – ‘The Trump Indictment’ – also looks ahead as to what kind of indictment a seated grand jury could hand up in the days ahead. It is widely expected that District Attorney Fani Willis will ask the panel to issue a racketeering indictment against Trump and others for alleged criminal interference with the 2020 presidential election. All signs point to charges being brought very soon. Orange barricades have been installed around the Fulton courthouse. Intersections have been blocked off. And local officials have been warned to get ready. Follow the Breakdown podcast from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices