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tv   The Context  BBC News  August 3, 2023 8:00pm-8:31pm BST

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it isa former presidents arrival. it is a truly historic arraignment. we will be live tonight in washington throughout. we will bring you all the reaction with expert analysis this evening from both sides of the argument as president trump is indicted for the third time. the us see donald trumpjust indicted for the third time. the us see donald trump just getting into the motorcade. we are watching pool pictures from reagan international airport. not a long journey from reagan national airport, about a ten minute ride, he is due there at 4pm eastern time. security as you would expect extremely tight around the airport and on thatjourney downtown. security is very tight in fact there was a secret service sweep at the courthouse last night. strangely these pictures that we are watching all very familiar now because it looks something like this when he first appeared for that
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first indictment in manhattan. the fact that he is using these political appearances in court for political appearances in court for political capital, you will see tonight perhaps a camera that will follow him amazed journey, it's all carefully documented. it is relayed on the campaign videos, it is now part of the broader fundraising effort which is of course needed, he's already spent $4 million on his legal fees he's already spent $4 million on his legalfees and none he's already spent $4 million on his legal fees and none of these cases have yet to come to court. but let's begin with the scene in washington. our colleague karl nasman is at the courthouse. we should talk about the geography. you're actually standing outside the courthouse, very close to the western entrance to capital hill where of course all these events unfolded on january six. where of course all these events unfolded on january six.- where of course all these events unfolded on january six. yes. you would know— unfolded on january six. yes. you would know very _ unfolded on january six. yes. you would know very well _ unfolded on january six. yes. you would know very well where - unfolded on january six. yes. you would know very well where we . unfolded on january six. yes. you | would know very well where we are for that we are in front of the courthouse here that has seen many otherjanuary six cases, just steps away, less than a mile away is the
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capital building itself. we can see from wweerree is standing. that is of course where those events played out on the date, january six riots, the insurrection as it is called. many of this case that the former president is now facing, many of those charges are directly related to the events that led up to that date. he is facing four criminal charges for that we are expecting him to arrive shortly. he's got not the plan, getting into his motorcade. it looks like they are driving away now. looks like they are headed here. we are expecting that court appearance to begin around four o'clock. the former president should arrive ahead of that. as you're mentioning, a lot of this now becoming, although it is to start becoming routine. we've seen this a couple of times before not only in new york but also miami in the state of florida. we will see it again here in washington, dc. the nations capitaljust again here in washington, dc. the nations capital just steps again here in washington, dc. the nations capitaljust steps away again here in washington, dc. the nations capital just steps away from the capitol building. he will be processed, he'll be read aloud those
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for mac charges without we have read that donald trump will plead not guilty. other methods will take place that will last 30 minutes to an hour and then we do expect the former president to make his way back to the airport, get back on the aeroplane and go right back to new jersey. he aeroplane and go right back to new jerse . u, aeroplane and go right back to new jerse . _, ., , ., , jersey. he could 'oin this virtually but he's taken _ jersey. he could 'oin this virtually but he's taken a — jersey. he could join this virtually but he's taken a political - jersey. he could join this virtually but he's taken a political decision| but he's taken a political decision to attend in person, didn't we know whether he's likely to make a statement after hearing? he was civen the statement after hearing? he was given the option _ statement after hearing? he was given the option by _ statement after hearing? he was given the option by the _ statement after hearing? he was given the option by the court - statement after hearing? he was l given the option by the court itself to appear, to some sort of video conference instead he's on his way here. as we've seen in the past the president does like to take advantage of these opportunities to make it part of his campaign put a front runnerfor the 2024 make it part of his campaign put a front runner for the 2024 republican nomination. so this is very much intertwined with that campaign. we
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saw the florida, a long drive from the courthouse they are to a famous cuban cafe, a restaurant where he met up with his supporters. he even had some sing happy birthday to him. it was the day before his birthday. we are not sure, we haven't heard any confirmation yet today about whether you make any kind of speech. we are not expecting anything before the court appearance. it's possible we will hear something later. it would be very with what we seen in the past. the past. the former president of course making his legal issues very much political as well, making part of his campaign, he's been fundraising of these legal issues. he's already started to do that for this indictment as well. we are expecting at least some sort of statement. we could get that later on today, were not sure what or where that would be.— on today, were not sure what or where that would be. carol, stay there because _ where that would be. carol, stay there because we _ where that would be. carol, stay there because we will _ where that would be. carol, stay there because we will come - where that would be. carol, stayj there because we will come back where that would be. carol, stay i there because we will come back to you as events proceed this evening. you're looking at live pictures in
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the right—hand box, the motorcade making its way downtown from the national airport. making its way downtown from the nationalairport. let's making its way downtown from the national airport. let's talk about the indictment. it describes a breathtakingly broad campaign that donald trump encouraging 2020 in a desperate and futile attempt to cling to power. in service of that goal the special prosecutor alleges in 45 pages of this indictment that the former president elicited six co—conspirators to spread lies and disinformation. first impression of the state legislatures then congress and then the vice president mike pence, culminating in the appalling events that we witnessed on january the 6th. let me introduce you to the panel this evening. let me introduce you to the panel this evening. i'm joined now by the republican strategist mark williams, attorney and former federal prosecutor ankush khardori and the documentary film maker alex holder — who appeared as a witness in the january six hearings. the committee subpoenaed hours of footage he filmed for his documentary series unprecedented, which followed mr trump and his senior staff, before and afterjanuary 6th. we will talk about that in the course of the evening. the
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republicans again today have accused joe biden and merritt garland, the attorney general of weapon i think the justice department to attorney general of weapon i think thejustice department to bring this case with him is that accurate to your view? case with him is that accurate to yourview? it's case with him is that accurate to your view? it's taken three and half years to get to this position and it took them until november last year took them until november last year to appoint a special counsel. i don't think it's accurate. in fact, i followed this closely, i reported on a profile for marit garland this year and i don't think they really wanted to do this. what a beam by thatis wanted to do this. what a beam by that is when marit garland entered office, whenjoe biden entered office, whenjoe biden entered office, we are reporting around this at the time that they wanted to move past trump. they were trying to avoid a confrontation with child in terms of his legal culpability for variety of things including january six. thatjust proved to be unavoidable thanks in large part to the january six committee and the hearings last year and the public controversy or attention that those drew. i think the notion that the doj weapon arises is talking points,
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i have to point out that this theme on the part of republicans, they first started to develop it last august. the day that prompts home at mara lago was searched by the fbi. at a point in time where none of us except for thejustice department except for the justice department and trump had any except for thejustice department and trump had any idea except for the justice department and trump had any idea what was except for thejustice department and trump had any idea what was in there, what the case was about a what they were going to find. i think it's very telling that the notion they would be a weaponisation committee for incentives in congress was something republicans were planning late last year. so they been laying the groundwork for this. i think this theme or argument if you will has almost no relation to the actual facts.— the actual facts. there are four charues the actual facts. there are four charges including _ the actual facts. there are four charges including conspiracy i the actual facts. there are four charges including conspiracy to defraud the united states and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, namely his attempt to stop the counting of the votes. mark williams, you are a republican. do
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you believe the 20 20 election was stolen? i you believe the 20 20 election was stolen? ., �* �* ., stolen? i don't. but there are republicans _ stolen? i don't. but there are republicans out _ stolen? i don't. but there are republicans out there - stolen? i don't. but there are republicans out there that i stolen? i don't. but there are - republicans out there that believe there _ republicans out there that believe there were nefarious things in and around _ there were nefarious things in and around the — there were nefarious things in and around the election. i think the president— around the election. i think the president had some advisers in his ears that_ president had some advisers in his ears that were incorrect in telling god _ ears that were incorrect in telling god and — ears that were incorrect in telling god. and that gets us to where we are right now. so god. and that gets us to where we are right nova— are right now. so is it conceivable that he didn't — are right now. so is it conceivable that he didn't know— are right now. so is it conceivable that he didn't know he'd - are right now. so is it conceivable that he didn't know he'd lost? - are right now. so is it conceivable i that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know. _ that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know. i— that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know, i can't _ that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know, i can't speak _ that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know, i can't speak to - that he didn't know he'd lost? look, i don't know, i can't speak to what l i don't know, i can't speak to what the president knew or didn't know at that time i— the president knew or didn't know at that time. ijust know the verbiage he was _ that time. ijust know the verbiage he was using. i think it's going to be incredibly hard to prove conspiracy. be incredibly hard to prove consuiracy-_ be incredibly hard to prove consira . ., conspiracy. really? there was demonstrable _ conspiracy. really? there was demonstrable evidence - conspiracy. really? there was demonstrable evidence that l conspiracy. really? there was| demonstrable evidence that he conspiracy. really? there was - demonstrable evidence that he lost. 60 court cases, leavens senior figures in the administration legal counsel telling him he'd lost. i guess the only defences that he truly believed it was stolen despite all the evidence he provided with.
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right. | all the evidence he provided with. right. ijust don't know how you get to that _ right. ijust don't know how you get to that in _ right. ijust don't know how you get to that in a court of law at the end of the day~ — to that in a court of law at the end of the day~ i— to that in a court of law at the end of the day. ijust don't know how you prove — of the day. ijust don't know how you prove what he believed or what he didn't _ you prove what he believed or what he didn't believe. how you prove what he believed or what he didn't believe.— he didn't believe. how does he defend this? _ he didn't believe. how does he defend this? some _ he didn't believe. how does he defend this? some are - he didn't believe. how does he - defend this? some are speculating he has to bleed into currents or stupidity. there are many who think —— ignorance or stupidity. many think is tribal prevented from doing that. ,, ., think is tribal prevented from doing that, ,, ., , ., think is tribal prevented from doing that. ,, ., , ., ., ., that. seeing to start to lay out the illars of that. seeing to start to lay out the pillars of that _ that. seeing to start to lay out the pillars of that offence. _ that. seeing to start to lay out the pillars of that offence. i _ that. seeing to start to lay out the pillars of that offence. i think - that. seeing to start to lay out the pillars of that offence. i think at i pillars of that offence. i think at the end — pillars of that offence. i think at the end of— pillars of that offence. i think at the end of the day you're going to see that _ the end of the day you're going to see that progress over i think this is going _ see that progress over i think this is going to — see that progress over i think this is going to be really hard to get to in a court — is going to be really hard to get to in a court of— is going to be really hard to get to in a court of law, they are one of the hardest _ in a court of law, they are one of the hardest ones to ever prove. alice, you — the hardest ones to ever prove. alice, you are invited to be around the president and his family in the days after the election. you gave evidence to the january six committee under subpoena. did you ever get a hint that he knew at that moment that he had lost? i ever get a hint that he knew at that
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moment that he had lost?- moment that he had lost? i think there's a few _ moment that he had lost? i think there's a few things _ moment that he had lost? i think there's a few things to _ moment that he had lost? i think there's a few things to bear - there's a few things to bear in mind. donald trump had set up the idea of the election being fraudulent well before the election took place. he was talking about aiden and balance. this idea had already started. in fact it started earlier the neck even when he was against hillary clinton, when he wouldn't accept that he would accept the results if she had won. trump believes that he is always going to win. he has this inability to accept a loss. so when you are around him he convinces all those around him and himself in these ludicrous ideas. there's not a single shred of evidence to support any of the claims that he made throughout the entire time and still making these ridiculous allegations. his own attorney general a few days before i met him in december said there was
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no evidence whatsoever to support his position. and then with him afterjanuary six in mar—a—lago embed minister hejust afterjanuary six in mar—a—lago embed minister he just continued to maintain his position constantly. i think it's because trump's character is one that all the way through his life he has never been able to accept that he lost or that he was defeated. it will be interesting to see him believing that he's actually insane, which i he will do. i think it is pretty straightforward to prove that. it is pretty straightforward to prove that-— it is pretty straightforward to rove that. ., ., _, prove that. you told the committee that when you _ prove that. you told the committee that when you went _ prove that. you told the committee that when you went in _ prove that. you told the committee that when you went in to _ prove that. you told the committee that when you went in to do - prove that. you told the committee that when you went in to do the - that when you went in to do the interviews you couldn't imagine that he didn't know he had lost. and yet when you came out of the interviews you are 100% certain, this is what you said at the time he thought it had been stolen from him. yes. there is no doubt — had been stolen from him. yes. there is no doubt donald _ had been stolen from him. yes. there is no doubt donald trump _ had been stolen from him. yes. there is no doubt donald trump himself- is no doubt donald trump himself believes in all sorts of
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conspiracies and unreasonable claims. to quote his own attorney general he said to the january six committee that trump was detached from reality. donald trump is in his mid—705, he is the commander—in—chief aside and he was refusing to accept what everybody around him is saying except a few crackpots. i think trump is an unusual person in the sense that he can be claiming the sky is green when it is not. he willjust keep digging himself into that whole again and again and again using ever to capitulate. it's an unreasonable position. obviously the election was not stolen. every single court case he failed at. he then went on to put pressure on election officials to try and find 11,000 or so votes in georgia. when i was with him in the
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white house, that very day it was when the georgia case was dismissed in the georgia courts about him saying that the machines were... every time somebody voted for trump's that actually the machines were hacked and sent to president biden. it was madness. for me it was terrifying to see someone who has convinced himself despite all the evidence around him and all the advice around him that this election was fraudulent. and so i felt that he is the sitting president of the united states, the power he still has and what he's doing is incredibly dangerous. it ended up with the tragedy onjanuary six. ii with the tragedy on january six. if you're justjoining us we are watching donald trump arriving downtown in washington, dc ahead of his arraignment at the district court. these are life pictures
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followed by the press pool, the motorcade, which is been following him from the reagan national airport. not farfrom him from the reagan national airport. not far from the district court now. only a ten minute journey from the airport to the courthouse. the president said in the course of the weeks after the elections that he merely wanted a pause in the certification of the votes to allow states to properly verify and interpret the vote. his vice president mike pence was asked about that yesterday and here's how he responded. have... been will stop the president specifically asked me and his gaggle of crackpot lawyers asked me to literally reject votes which would have resulted in the issue being turned over to the house of representatives, literally chaos would have ensued. we now know that
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he kept contemporaneous notes about what happened in those days just before january six. how important do you think those know to get a b to jack smith and how will a jury be guided to interpret those notes? notes are always useful. i think in this particular case pence on these issues, _ this particular case pence on these issues, i_ this particular case pence on these issues, i wish he had spoken up more frequentty— issues, i wish he had spoken up more frequently and earlier and even now ithink— frequently and earlier and even now i think he's— frequently and earlier and even now i think he's a little too reticent to say— i think he's a little too reticent to say what he knows is on his mind. i think— to say what he knows is on his mind. i think for— to say what he knows is on his mind. i think for the — to say what he knows is on his mind. i think for the most part he has a lot of— i think for the most part he has a lot of credibility on the subject. he's_ lot of credibility on the subject. he's been— lot of credibility on the subject. he's been consistent, i think is generally— he's been consistent, i think is generally regarded as a straightforward and honest about his views— straightforward and honest about his views on— straightforward and honest about his views on that day. the notes will help corroborate his recollection and can— help corroborate his recollection and can be introduced in certain instances — and can be introduced in certain instances. but the main thing for jurors _ instances. but the main thing for jurors will— instances. but the main thing for jurors will be hearing from mike pence _ jurors will be hearing from mike pence himself.—
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pence himself. let's bring in holland outside _ pence himself. let's bring in holland outside the - pence himself. let's bring in - holland outside the courthouse. it looks as if that motorcade has arrived at his destination or near. carl, can you see the motorcade and describe how many people are there at the courthouse today? we people are there at the courthouse toda ? ~ . �* , people are there at the courthouse toda? ., �*, ., today? we haven't been able to catch siaht today? we haven't been able to catch si . ht of the today? we haven't been able to catch sight of the motorcade _ today? we haven't been able to catch sight of the motorcade yet. _ today? we haven't been able to catch sight of the motorcade yet. we - today? we haven't been able to catch sight of the motorcade yet. we do - sight of the motorcade yet. we do believe it's only a matter of minutes away from the courthouse. we are right here in downtown washington, dc, 100 feet from the capitol building, you can see it from outside the courthouse. —— a few feet away from the capitol building. there are thousands of people awaiting the former presidents arrival here in the courthouse. many of them, in fact most would be media members. to my left and right there is a line—up of television crews almost encircling the courthouse with that we don't believe though... you can actually see the entrance, we don't believe donald trump will use that one. he's likely to go in the side entrance as
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we've seen in previous arraignments in florida and new york city. that is of course for security reasons. you can see heightened security here as soon as you arrive outside of the district federal courthouse at the metal barricades all the way around. some security not as visible. we know that secret service are here. they are always in tow and we are talking about a president or former president there's been coordination between local and federal law enforcement. plenty of security being beefed up here. there was actually a false alarm yesterday on capitol hill, there was a false report of an active shooting situation. many police responded to that situation very quickly, within about an hour that had been cleared. itjust about an hour that had been cleared. it just shows you about an hour that had been cleared. itjust shows you how high alert this entire area is, especially when it comes to something like an arraignment of a former president. there are some protesters here. there are some protesters here. there are some supporters of the former president. not really in the
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types of numbers and notable, maybe a few dozen up to 100. there are plenty more media here and we all of course waiting for trump to be here and you arrive. we won't see him. kristen, you may know better than i because he will head through a back entrance. we have confirmation he has arrived and will be heading into the courthouse, on his way through a side entrance. his court appearance scheduled for four o'clock. a very quick trip. as a short flight from newjersey come about an hour and then a ten minute drive to the courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived _ courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived and _ courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived and as _ courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived and as you _ courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived and as you said - courthouse itself. confirmation that he has arrived and as you said has l he has arrived and as you said has gonein he has arrived and as you said has gone in through the side entrance. no cameras in court, carl. a fairly straightforward process which he will be familiar with because he has been through this before, he will be fingerprint cannot read his rights, and when he gets into court will he be asked to make a plea? yes. and when he gets into court will he be asked to make a plea?- be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked _ be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked to _ be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked to make _ be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked to make a _ be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked to make a plea. - be asked to make a plea? yes, he will be asked to make a plea. we |
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be asked to make a plea? yes, he i will be asked to make a plea. we are expecting that plea to be not guilty as he has pled in the last two cases where he has been arranged. it will be a similar process in the way that many other defendants would be, his fingerprints will be taken, his personal information will be gathered. of course they already do have that on file. there are no cameras allowed in the courtroom. we have reporters nearby, in the courthouse, they been able to see the exact setting with his arraignment will take place it's a very modest courtroom, that's how it's been described. there are tables where the defendants, the former president will be sitting. there are a few rows of wooden benches and a television monitor, that's about it. a fewjournalists are allowed in, they will be any cameras but there are members of the media in the courthouse itself. they will be able to feed us information as this is taking place. again, not necessarily prize, an historic moment but it is beginning to feel a
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bit routine. we seen this before, florida, york, we could possibly see another indictment in the state of georgia in the coming days or weeks right now the focus is on donald trump and what will be taking place very shortly in that courtroom behind. , ., .. very shortly in that courtroom behind. , ., ., , behind. georgia could be imminent because the _ behind. georgia could be imminent because the barriers _ behind. georgia could be imminent because the barriers outside - behind. georgia could be imminent because the barriers outside the i because the barriers outside the courthouse in fulton county are in place as well. today the focus is on washington, dc. this is going to test every over the next 12 months for sense the justice test every over the next 12 months for sense thejustice department is as much on trial as donald trump, correct? i as much on trial as donald trump, correct? ~ ,., as much on trial as donald trump, correct? ~ , , . ., , correct? ithink so, especially in the e es correct? ithink so, especially in the eyes of _ correct? ithink so, especially in the eyes of half _ correct? ithink so, especially in the eyes of half the _ correct? ithink so, especially in the eyes of half the country i correct? ithink so, especially in the eyes of half the country of l the eyes of half the country of republican voters i heard talk earlier— republican voters i heard talk earlier about how republican voters can did _ earlier about how republican voters can did not — earlier about how republican voters can did not consider this the weaponisation of the doj. i think they're _ weaponisation of the doj. i think they're going to want to see a preponderance of conspiracy charges. we've _ preponderance of conspiracy charges. we've heard this kind of rhetoric
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about _ we've heard this kind of rhetoric about elections before. we heard it in 2016— about elections before. we heard it in 2016 from the democrats when they said that _ in 2016 from the democrats when they said that russia so the election and republicans continue to beat the drum _ republicans continue to beat the drum and — republicans continue to beat the drum and say, why are there any charges — drum and say, why are there any charges for— drum and say, why are there any charges for people that were saying that? _ charges for people that were saying that? i_ charges for people that were saying that? i think you are going to see a lot of— that? i think you are going to see a lot of back—and—forth between the political _ lot of back—and—forth between the political parties. it's an amazing testament to trump's political willpower that is still the front runner— willpower that is still the front runner of— willpower that is still the front runner of the republican primary and regardless _ runner of the republican primary and regardless of three maybe four indictments his poll numbers to dont _ indictments his poll numbers to don't change. we indictments his poll numbers to don't change-— indictments his poll numbers to don't chance. ~ ., ,, ., don't change. we were talking about vice president _ don't change. we were talking about vice president mike _ don't change. we were talking about vice president mike pence _ don't change. we were talking about vice president mike pence just i vice president mike pencejust before we went to talk to carl. bill barr said last night that it is entirely probable that jack smith has more than what we see in this indictment. for instance when the transcript of mike pence is grand
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jury transcript of mike pence is grand jury testimony was released and leaked to the new york times there were about 18 consecutive pages blacked out. there is somejeopardy for donald trump isn't what he doesn't know. for for donald trump isn't what he doesn't know.— for donald trump isn't what he doesn't know. for sure. in all of these cases- — doesn't know. for sure. in all of these cases. we've _ doesn't know. for sure. in all of these cases. we've heard i doesn't know. for sure. in all of these cases. we've heard vice l these cases. we've heard vice president _ these cases. we've heard vice president pentz has said and what he may continue to say. i was telling folks _ may continue to say. i was telling folks earlier that vice president pentz— folks earlier that vice president pentz knows where all the bodies are buried _ pentz knows where all the bodies are buried it _ pentz knows where all the bodies are buried. it will beat —— mike pence. it will be _ buried. it will beat —— mike pence. it will be interesting what comes forward — it will be interesting what comes forward. like i said early, they conspiracy charges seem hard to get to stick _ conspiracy charges seem hard to get to stick i_ conspiracy charges seem hard to get to stick. i think at the end of the day the — to stick. i think at the end of the day the mar—a—lago documents case may be the _ day the mar—a—lago documents case may be the ones that is the final nail in the — may be the ones that is the final nail in the coffin for donald trump. alex, _ nail in the coffin for donald trump. alex, you _ nail in the coffin for donald trump. alex, you gave over 11 hours of footage, have you had any indication from the special prosecutor or indeed from the defence that they are going to rely on the evidence you supplied? ida.
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are going to rely on the evidence you supplied?— are going to rely on the evidence ou su--lied? ., , ., you supplied? no, absolutely none. we provided — you supplied? no, absolutely none. we provided footage _ you supplied? no, absolutely none. we provided footage tuesday, i you supplied? no, absolutely none. i we provided footage tuesday, january six committee to the department of justice and also to the georgia investigation. but we gave them what they asked for and that is dead. the big question i suppose, this is a question for everybody really, whether this case gets tried before that 2044 election for them naturally donald trump will play for a time for them —— 2024. he needs to concentrate on his pain, others say it's imperative to have this tried before people have to vote —— his campaign. before people have to vote -- his campaign-— before people have to vote -- his cam-min, . , ., ., ., campaign. where you stand on that? i arree campaign. where you stand on that? i aaree with campaign. where you stand on that? i agree with that. _ campaign. where you stand on that? i agree with that. i'm _ campaign. where you stand on that? i agree with that. i'm probably - campaign. where you stand on that? i agree with that. i'm probably in i campaign. where you stand on that? i agree with that. i'm probably in the i agree with that. i'm probably in the minority. i think there's more of a chance of donald trump being in prison than actually getting the nomination. that's only if these cases go to trial beforejuly of next year or so. with respect to the
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republican convention. it's interesting that the republican party, the leaders of the party are still defending him because they are really petrified that if they don't trump and his base will turn on whoever they pick as a candidate. on the one hand they are defending trump because they are scared of him running as a third—party candidate for the basic turning on their chosen candidate. on the other hand there also defending probably the only person that present writing can beat. it's a bit of an ironic situation. —— president biden can beat. situation. -- president biden can beat. . ~ situation. -- president biden can beat. ., ,, , ., situation. -- president biden can beat. .. ~' , ., , situation. -- president biden can beat. ., ,, , . situation. -- president biden can beat. . ~ , . ., situation. -- president biden can beat. ., ,, , . ., , beat. thank you very much for being with us on the _ beat. thank you very much for being with us on the first _ beat. thank you very much for being with us on the first half-hour - beat. thank you very much for being with us on the first half-hour of i with us on the first half—hour of the special coverage this evening for top euro looking at live pictures of the district courthouse in washington, dc. we have seen the motorcade arrived but thatjust in washington, dc. we have seen the motorcade arrived but that just a few minutes ago, donald trump now in the courthouse where he will be
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formally arraigned, fingerprinted, read his rights before his appearance before the judge read his rights before his appearance before thejudge in read his rights before his appearance before the judge in this case, tanya s. chutkan. it is only likely to be a brief appearance but it is immensely historic day, the four commander—in—chief accused of conspiring against the united states for that we will say goodbye to our audience on pbs. thank you very much for watching. the rest of you, stay where you are. we have so much you keep our eye on this evening as these events unfold in washington, dc. let's go back to carl who is outside the court. can we talk a little bit about the judge? tanya chutkan, appointed by president barack obama, randomly assigned to oversee this case on tuesday which many would consider a poisoned chalice. . , many would consider a poisoned chalice. ._ ., , , chalice. the way that these 'udges are a side chalice. the way that these 'udges a side it — chalice. the way that these 'udges are a side it is i chalice. the way that these 'udges are a side it is basically i chalice. the way that these judges are a side it is basically random. l are a side it is basically random. there are severaljudges based in
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each courthouse and she has been the ones that has been assigned. as you mentioned tanya chutkan, she's a very experienced judge, she's been on the bench for nearly a decade now. she has plenty of experience. she is actually resided over dozens of them. she's got a bit of a reputation as a judge whose willing to hand down harsh sentences to the people who have come before her. not only is she familiar about the case matter itself she's also somebody who has spoken out about the events, she's been very critical about january six itself and the people that participated in the interaction. she's also an obama appointee as you mentioned her past is donated to democratic campaigns. she's worked as a volunteer for the democratic party. this is certainly in contrast to a judge in the case in contrast to a judge in the case in florida, the classified document
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case. many of us assume that she might potentially be a bit more lenient and there could be some advantage for trump. there are some observers that could potentially think the opposite. everybody who knows there is judge says that tanya chutkan is a capablejudge, experienced judge and she has won that role and certainly obey the letter of the law when it comes to anybody that would come before her in the courts and even of course a former president like donald trump. it's something that many observers are paying attention to. she will not be presiding over the events today. more of a proceeding but she will begin to preside over this case. . ., . y will begin to preside over this case. , ., , , �*, will begin to preside over this case. ,., _ �*, , ., case. obviously he's focusing on her as the judge — case. obviously he's focusing on her as the judge in _ case. obviously he's focusing on her as the judge in manhattan _ case. obviously he's focusing on her as the judge in manhattan as - case. obviously he's focusing on her as the judge in manhattan as an i as the judge in manhattan as an anti—trumper. he's also talked about the 2020 overwhelmingly forjoe
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biden, at the centre forjoe biden. there is a very strong likelihood that the defence will try to get this case it moved possibly to west virginia where there is a more balanced vote. is it possible for donald trump to have a fair trial in washington and how sympathetic my gp to moving it somewhere where the defence were preferred to be? we have defence were preferred to be? - have heard a lot of discussion about a potential change in venue. this is becoming publicly from trump's lawyers leading up to today. it's interesting because if you look at other cases that involve january six this is not a new argument to be brought up. other defendants and their lawyers have argued that their trial should be outside of washington, dc forsimilar trial should be outside of washington, dc for similar reasons to what we heard trump lawyers. here's the that the events of january six were notjust confined to washington, dc, the entire country and in fact the entire world watched by as those events took
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place for that the events of january six were notjust confined to washington, dc, the entire country and in fact the entire world watched by as those events but if you were to move the trial to west virginia you would also know about the capital insurrection. that legal argument has not held up for it many if not all other arguments that it taken place with prior arguments. we do believe that trump lawyers may bring it up today but it's very unlikely that that will succeed as an argument. if you want to look at something where the president think the former president may get a fair trial because washington, dc tends to lean democratic well, also has not historically held up as a legal argument. it's difficult to move the case just because you tend to like the polling numbers in— the polling numbers in three indictments _ the polling numbers in three indictments now, _ the polling numbers in three indictments now, the - the polling numbers in three indictments now, the one i the polling numbers in three indictments now, the one in| the polling numbers in three - indictments now, the one in florida, new york, this one could possibly be looking at a fourth one in georgia. two federal cases, two of them state
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cases, what takes precedence? they clearly built this indictment for a speedy trial and does he trump the other cases in the list or does the other cases in the list or does the other prosecutor have something to say about that? is other prosecutor have something to say about that?— say about that? is very interesting ruestion say about that? is very interesting question and _ say about that? is very interesting question and l— say about that? is very interesting question and i think _ say about that? is very interesting question and i think it's _ say about that? is very interesting question and i think it's one i say about that? is very interesting question and i think it's one that l question and i think it's one that we will find more answers to these cases move forward. we don't even have a trial date set for this one in three possible that we could see multiple cases in multiple trials playing out in all of them involving the former president and all of them complained at different moments and even simultaneously there could be a fourth indictment coming on the way in georgia and the other civil cases there is some cases that are pending in new york city and so, for many different legal battles that the former president will be fighting and he is a fairly small legal team
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and he is a fairly small legal team and is accompanied by three

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