Anderson Cooper 360

The former President's historic criminal trial began in earnest today, with both sides delivering opening statements and the first witness, David Pecker, taking the stand. Pecker, who is the former publisher of the National Enquirer, is expected to testify about the alleged "catch and kill" scheme in detail, and his role in orchestrating two nondisclosure agreements for negative stories about Trump. His testimony will continue tomorrow. Former Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo and Temidayo Aganga-Williams, who served as Senior Investigative Counsel to the House January sixth committee, speak to Anderson about today's trial developments.  Plus, several top universities, including Columbia and Yale, are dealing with major protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Shimon Prokupecz went to Columbia University to investigate.  Guests: Karen Friedman Agnifilo  Temidayo Aganga-Williams Shimon Prokupecz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"We have our full panel," declared Judge Juan Merchan on the fourth day of jury selection in the former president's criminal hush money trial. All 18 jurors and alternates have been seated and sworn in. Opening statements are set for Monday. Former Chief Judge for the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III, and jury consultant Jill Huntley Taylor, talk to Anderson about the pace of the trial and what impact it could have on jurors serving on such a high-profile case. Plus, Gary Tuchman travels to Speaker Mike Johnson's district in Louisiana, to get reaction from his constituents about the Republican infighting on Capitol Hill and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s push to get him ousted from the leadership role.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A full 12-person jury has been selected for the former president's criminal hush money trial, despite the day starting off with two previously seated jurors being dismissed. Judge Juan Merchan said court will resume Thursday morning, and jury selection will continue until all the alternates are seated. Former chief judge for the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III joins Anderson. They discuss how the judge is conducting proceedings so far, and the overall pace of the trial. Plus, President Biden today was formally endorsed by more than a dozen members of the Kennedy family. Meanwhile one of their own, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., officially qualified to appear on the ballot in Michigan, a key battleground state that could be pivotal in this year's presidential election. Arlette Saenz has the details.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If the former president chooses to testify in his New York criminal hush money trial, prosecutors want to use his recent legal run-ins against him to discredit him to the jury. CNN's Kara Scannell, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin and jury consultant Jill Huntley Taylor discuss the new development with Anderson. Plus, a hacking  group with ties to the Russian government is suspected of carrying out a cyberattack on a water facility in Texas. That’s according to experts with a U.S. cybersecurity firm. Ed Lavandera has the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The second day of the former president’s criminal hush money trial ended with the selection of seven jurors. Five more are needed, plus alternates. While he left court, he was asked if he believed that the jury could be fair. "I’ll let you know after- after the trial, depending on what happens,” he responded. Former federal prosecutors Jeffrey Toobin and Jessica Roth, along with jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer, discuss the jury selection and the pace of the trial so far. Plus, Gary Tuchman traveled to one county in Texas that has voted Trump the last two elections and asks residents if this criminal trial could affect their support for the former president.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump sat in a New York courtroom today as jury selection began in his hush money case. 96 prospective jurors were questioned, and at least 50 were excused because they told the judge they couldn't be fair and impartial. Jury consultant Richard Gabriel speaks to Anderson about the historic trial. Plus, tensions are extremely high in the Middle East as Israel vows to "exact a price" after an Iranian attack over the weekend. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran will respond in less than a few seconds if Israel "makes another mistake.” All this started after officials said Israeli carried out a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. AC360 is live from Tel Aviv tonight, where Anderson speaks to Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Judge Juan Merchan has rejected yet another attempt by former President Trump to delay his criminal hush money trial, with jury selection is set to begin on Monday. Also, at a press conference Friday, the former president said he would testify in the upcoming trial. "I mean, all I can do is tell the truth. And the truth is that there’s no case, they have no case,” he told reporters. CNN's Kara Scannell has more insight on the possibility of the former president taking the stand. Plus, CNN’s Whitney Wild gets exclusive access to a Chicago task force battling organized retail theft, known as "smash-and-grab" robberies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

O.J. Simpson, the former NFL star whose career was overshadowed by his 1995 double-murder trial, died of cancer at the age of 76, his family announced. Simpson was a household name, when he was charged with the brutal killings of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman. His arrest, the proceedings and subsequent trial captivated the nation, with tens of millions of viewers tuning in to watch it all unfold. Jeffrey Toobin, who was in the courtroom for the not guilty verdict, shares the enormous cultural impact the so-called "trial of the century" had on the country.  Plus, former President Trump is stoking fears that Christianity is under attack, a theme many Christian nationalists believe is true. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan reports from Wisconsin where the movement has united three pastors to combat what they say is a threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New York appeals court has denied Trump's request for emergency relief to stop the criminal trial that's scheduled to begin Monday from going ahead, so he could appeal a lower court's ruling on presidential immunity. This is the third time in three days that the former president's team has attempted to delay the start of the trial. CNN's Kara Scannell speaks to Anderson on what the Trump team argued in their latest filing. Plus, Israeli military said it has killed three sons of a Hamas political leader in an airstrike in Gaza today. Meanwhile during ongoing hostage negotiations, Hamas indicated it's currently unable to identify and track down 40 Israeli hostages that meet the criteria for the first phase of a ceasefire deal. CNN's Jeremy Diamond in Jerusalem, and retired Army four-star General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Wesley Clark join AC360 on the implications of both major developments.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arizona's Supreme Court ruled the state must adhere to a more than century-old law, that bans all abortions except in cases when "it is necessary to save" a pregnant person's life. The law carries a prison sentence of two to five years for abortion providers. In her first TV interview since the court's decision, Democratic Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs speaks with Anderson about the impact the decision will have on women in her state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices