Hope on the horizon

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?Follow more of The Washington Post's coverage of Trump's New York trial here. You can also sign up for The Post's weekly Trump Trials newsletter here.

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.Read more about Cohen's bizarre appearances on TikTok here.

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 joins the show to break down former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's regular TikTok live broadcasts – a surprising move from one of the prosecution's key witnesses.You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

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.

In this week's episode, the crew discusses what's happened in former president Donald Trump's New York trial so far – and what we're hearing from witnesses.Washington Post reporter Devlin Barrett returns to take us inside the courtroom, while senior video journalist JM Rieger analyzes Trump's repetitive, falsehood-filled statements outside the courtroom.Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter.

At the start of Trump's Manhattan criminal trial, the court needs 12 jurors and six alternates – but many times that number have been dismissed, for a whole variety of reasons, some mundane and others surprising. Seven have been sworn in so far, including a foreman. In our second episode, the crew discusses the jurors selected during the first two days in court.Plus, the dynamic between Trump's lawyers, Judge Juan Merchan and the former president himself is getting tense, with Merchan sternly warning Trump not to gesture at or speak to potential jurors.And is Trump having trouble staying awake at times? Washington Post national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett - an author of our sister newsletter, The Trump Trials - joins the show to reveal what it's like covering the trial from inside the courthouse.

Former president Donald Trump arrived at the Manhattan criminal court on April 15 for a first: Charged with falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, he becomes the first former president in U.S. history to be put on criminal trial.In our first episode, the crew discusses the first day of Trump's trial in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and how jury selection could play out. Plus - why the trial won't be televised, and how much trouble he could be in.Washington Post video journalist Michael Cadenhead joins to discuss his recent trip to New York to ask Manhattanites if they could serve as impartial jurors in the trial. Read his story with The Post's Azi Paybarah here.You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

When The Washington Post started the "Can He Do That?" podcast, the U.S. faced unprecedented questions as former president Donald Trump pushed on the limits of presidential power. Now, his legal challenges raise new questions. The Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann will host a weekly conversation as trials loom in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. On the new show, "The Trump Trials: Sidebar," the hosts will break down the latest twists and turns as Trump contends with court appearances and seeks a second presidential term. Trump's hush money trial in New York starts April 15. Look out for the first episode that evening. You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

Check out The Campaign Moment, The Washington Post’s weekly politics roundtable to help you keep track of the biggest developments during the 2024 campaign. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post’s new newsletter by the same name, and investigative political reporter Josh Dawsey join Martine Powers this week. They talk about how election denial is becoming more central to the RNC, what to make of this week’s NBC/Ronna McDaniel drama, the latest on efforts by a group trying to recruit a third-party candidate, the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. factor and why Josh says former president Donald Trump is “running for his freedom.” Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.The show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski.

“Impromptu” from Washington Post Opinions invites listeners to eavesdrop on our columnists as they have frank, thoughtful conversations on the news and cultural debates they can’t stop thinking about.  Washington Post Opinions columnists want to bring you inside their conversations, before they start typing, to help you figure out your own point of view. If you've enjoyed the recent conversations among columnists that you've heard on this feed, you'll love "Impromptu." New episodes will be released every Wednesday, starting March 20.