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the value of the liberal parks education and bridge the divide between academic and american culture. and then at 10:00 p.m. on after words, science journalist angela the origins of patriarchy and how it spread to societies around the world with her book the patriarchs. she is interviewed and women's media center director. >> book tv every sunday on c-span2 find a full schedule on your program guide or watch online anytime at booktv.org. oco's or next guest is a former assistant district attorney so discover your keys author a portrait of donald trump and 3500 lawsuits. and also the host of conversations with jim seifert which can be seen throughout the new york metropolitan station pbs stationns wide. thank you for coming on the program. >> thank you, i'm delighted to be here. >> is far short legal background of how look at the case the

thattorney general in new york s bringing against a former president? >> the district attorney in manhattan, i think it is a strong case. i think most of the facts are well-known. there are certain legal questions that will have to be resolved. but i think the case has been m outlined in the media is a clear case of folk because you have business records. with the underlying crime which enhances the charge to a felony. >> as far as the strength of the cases you describe what makes it so? whatde makes it raise the federl charges the das trying to seek? he state charge is substantiated by of course the cooperating witness who pleaded guilty to a federal offense, served time in jail that is michael cohen. it is corroborated by

documentary evidence lee concealed the true nature of the payments. it is corroborated by testimony which is expected of stormy daniels. it's a very s simple case for the jury to understand. >> i'm sorry go ahead. >> now the underlying crime for enhancement is a violation of federal election law which is an issue that is a federal crimean not a state crime and would it qualifies for enhancement, i think it does by analogy to other new york statutes. there are other underling criminals it could be charged with the violation of the state election law which applies to federal elections ashe well. and also there is a tax evasion because the payment was camouflaged or legal services. and probably written off by trump and the trump organization as a o tax deduction on the stae

tax returns. it was in fact a personal expense, which could not be deducted for income tax purposes because when you are the other side describe this as hush money per se of people say necessarily that's not in a legal thing, how do you respond to that? i think it is accurate the payment of money's not illegal, nothing illegal about that. the claim was made by stormy daniels the run-up to the 2016 election. until the money was paid clearly to cover up her allegations because they came on the heels of the famous billy bush tape

which showed a certain cavalier attitude toward women. they did not want any further scandal. sir trump wanted to shut her up just before the election it would be adverse publicity to his candidacy. it made it illegal because it is not reported as a campaign contribution that violated federal law. federal prosecutors decided not to prosecute trump because they thought the - charge paled by comparison to generate six and otheran crimes trump allegedly committed. >> is supposed others make the argument like you did this was pursued federal income that pulled back i guess the question is why now? what's the think why now?

is the whole state case has been under investigation for at least two years with alvin bragg's predecessor. was called the district attorney's office called the zombie case because it keptt accoming back almost like a phoenix from the ashes. >> again jim zarin, our guest on the program. we are going to continue our conversation with him as far as making connections. if you have questions for him answer: ask questions (202)748-8000 for democrats (202)748-8001 for republicans. (202)748-8002 for independence. and if you have also want to text us your questions or comments you can do that at 2-027-488-0003. also there's a way to post on social media sites the questions

you may have you can do that @cspanwj is our twitter feed also our facebook page is facebook.com/cspan. that is how you can communicate with jim having a little quick connectivity issue when it comes to his connection. so, as we wait for that to be resolved will take your questions and only get him back proposing to him is what massachusetts democrats lives, rick you're not of the guest per se but quieter question for him will take that up reconnect with him. >> and got a couple comments but one of my comments is the republicans out here supporting this involvement should have been in jail over two years we got two people running this country the first thing's going to happen with biting got in office and that's attorney general he should have been arrested the moment he came oute of the white house special issue with michael cohen. that bum should've been jill a long time ago.

this republican party is corrupted. i'll tell you something all the republicans think their way turn this country into russia. they got another thing coming to. >> okay, everett in colorado grand junction, colorado lorepublican line. >> good morning to everybody. my concern with any of this is just basically shoot any crime what is the statute of limitations there in newtu york? for both a misdemeanor, you can look it up online. or a felony. and how long do we go after somebody? what are the personal rights, thank you? >> that is ever there. jetta in ohio, independent line. >> yes, i was wondering out of

3500 cases, how many times has trump been found guilty? you are talking about taxpayer money going out here. nobody in washington cares about the american people anymore. this is ridiculous, i'm 71 years old i have never seen such craziness. of course we always knew from thecr vietnam war that our government completely lied to us and we lost all of our friends and brothers. and some sisters in the vietnam war. so you tell me why, after six years you are still going after trump? when he has never been found guilty of anything. >> okay, that's jetta there in ohio on our independent line but do not know if we have them back, we connected with him? >> here we are. >> hello. guests in the first place, trump's impeached twice.

there was a special counsel investigation conducted by robert mueller. the conclusion that that type of the trump justice department under blower was you could nott, indict a sitting president. so they had to wait until after he had left office. so you have to take away the forest trump was in office because the federal government was paralyzed. it was not about to indict him for the something the constitution of the law that says the president cannot be indicted. he has left office. we had a period of coded, there have been delays. delays are always unfortunate. it's one of the great criticisms of our legal system of any legal system it goes back to shakespeare in hamlet as the laws delay. but now these allegations have surfaced. there allegations related to

january 6. which was not so long ago. should be invested by special counsel jack smith. our allegations and georgia being investigated by the district attorney there arising from the election. at i grant you some time has elapsed but we are now reaching the moment of truth. it appears chargers will be brought against donald trump in new york and possiblyss in geora andd possibly other federal government uprisings are generally six. there is the issue of mishandling of documents which is being investigated by special counsel for. >> always the previous caller asked about concerns of a statute of limitations on this time. does this apply to its being heard in new york or why doesn't

it? >> it does not apply because governor cuomo extended the statute of limitations for the period of coded. because juries were not meeting in court proceedings wereit delayed. admission is a provision of new york law that the defendant is outside of the state the statute of limitations is suspended and of course trump after he left office was living largely in florida at times in washington d.c.c. he is not in the state of new york for a period of time. quotes are from polyp arizona democrat line. good morning. >> good morning. i don't know about you but that last guy from judicial watch i've never heard a more parsing of words and dissemination of facts. i amm telling you republicans cn

twist things around to make it look like the devil is god, i swear. trump has done so much like your books is 3500 lawsuits. but not going into that, how do we know how many civil lawsuits he settled over out-of-court with over 50 years of doing illegal activities in new york? thank you. as we don't know a lot of settlements are under seal but 3500 was the figure published by usa today. american bar association's at about 4000 lost 202,020 when i read the book there have been lawsuits since. >> as far as he challenges the d.a. has you talked about theories but one of the challenges in your mind to what fate does d.a. if he brings this

case? there are many challenges the first challenges of course i'm pepe8 is can assume to be innocent that's a fictional blogger that means the burden of proof is on the prosecutor. that burden never shifts he has a heavy burden of establishing guilt under reasonable doubt. the second challenge she has is the case factually will rest in part of the testimony of michael cohen is a felon. he went to jail and he has turned against him he was his former lawyer. he will testify as a witness so they will blacken him in front of the jury and try to show he is a villain and betrayed trump in this scheme was something he himself devised for some

purpose. not whether that will be a successful defense we doo not know. most criminal cases there is a co-conspirator or cooperating who testifies in new york that testimony has to be corroborated. not the federal court by the state court it does. and since it has to be corroborated the hops look to the documentary evidence to see if what cohen says rings true. cohen testified before congress, a lot of these statements are all over the lot so a lot of trump statements are all over the lot. shifting positions, shifting conversions with facts. so that is going to be a problem for the prosecutor. there are legal problems as well. >> talk aboutut. those. >> i mentioned the fact it is

unprecedented to enhance a state crime based on a federal crime. there are state crimes to that trump committed predinner had to show hen' was convicted of those crime spree just have to shout there was a violation of the state law. there are provisions for example a conviction of the felony in the state court of a lawyer that provides for automatic disbarment and the issue arose out to the highest court, the court of appeals as to whether the conviction of a federal crime would be sufficient for automatic disbarment. weiss held to be sufficient. certain arguments undoubtedly the prosecutor would make. and we would have to see how those play out for. >> if i have it right, then your

collection law that is part of this a 17 -- 152 with the conspiracy to promote or prevent any two or more persons who conspired to promote or prevent the election of anyny person by office by unlawful means conspiracy is acted upon by one or more of the parties thereto shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. >> circulate the prosecutor will rely on that is what the underlying crimes or authorize enhancement of falsification of business records to a felony. that is a a very important statute.s >> this is darrell joins us from alabama republican line for our guest jim former u.s. district attorney in the southern district of new york. >> so, let's say donald trump is not above the law but do know who he is? joe biden, cuomo, all of your democrats. so my question to you is your hatred for the republicans going to extend that trump doesn't get

him taken in 2024 as a going to extend to the next republicans are going to try to jail this present as well should he win? thank you very much. >> i do not view this at all as a political matter. there are many of us who don't like chuck for many, many reasons. the prosecutor, bob morgan felt to say in the u.s. attorney's office the prosecutor is not prevented from prosecuting someone he doesn't like at the facts and the law it. and in trump's is, in this situation the facts of the law towards it.o i view this solely as a lawyer. not based at all on my political persuasion. no one is above the law. not truck, not biden, no one else. we have a rule of law in this country that is the fiber of our democratic system. the law should apply equally to

all citizens. trump is considered to know greater consideration because he was the president and he is entitled to no less either. that is where i think things stand as a legal matter. and i feel and most lawyers feel strongly about that because dedicated to the rule of law the constitution. >> too that point though, enters the wall street journal recentl wrote this wheat note that in american notice above the a lot of prosecutors use their discretion everyday not to bring charges for any number of reasons for mr. bragg came into office vowing not to charge numerous nonviolent crimes against public order. the prosecutor former president histh head for the white house s inherently fraught with ramification weiss prosecutor must consider the rule of law and considering the prosecution is have to contribute political charges for president our current candidate must be for serious offenses with indisputable evidence.

i think the evidence is indisputable. it's a very serious charges. as our other charges that have been discussed against troupe. the fact is politician, the facp is controversial, the fact that he may be popular in some quarters does not immunize them from can't then it would from any of us. and if any citizen did what trump is accused of doing in new york now, they will be prosecuted. if it came to the attention of the district attorney. bragg said about jailing people and not prosecuting people for nonviolentos crimes, a positione later retreated from is absolutely irrelevant to this case. this case stands on its own feet speak like this from can't in

union, kentucky independent line. >> es, this whole debate from the former person to this book, rest on this concept that we are all citizens. i'm getting very tired of hearing republicans and liberals and vice versa. the law is the law. the republican party though i have to admit hi hasio been violating laws. they fell the textbook, campaign demagogue that was probably first implemented delightedly new double down on it. as a, former person. the truth is there were and

there are many true witnesses. and unfortunately for the republican party, all of them so far have turned out to be republicans that have finally found their integrity. what we will leave it there for our guest. >> guest: i will agree with you to the extent it had been violations of law by people who have identified as republicans, as maggots, or whatever. but the political affiliation is irrelevant. what is irrelevant is what they did, what they failed to do in certain circumstances. it is no answer to say biden is a criminal two. if someone holds up a bank is no answer see someone else held up a bank and got away with it. that is u deflection. and of any crime the defendant may claim somebody else of e the same thing and got away with it.

or everybody does it. you would not believe the number of people in the united states have paid off or inserts to be quiet and to avoid embarrassment families. that is not relevant here. what is relevant was was there a concealment and falsification of public records. was there an underlying crime? what is the evidence that establishes that? we all have to discipline ourselves to think only of that bearing in mind trump until proven guilty is presumed innocent. >> mr. zarin their bid comparison space in the former president to quite a few years back former democratic representative john edwards despite millions of dollars his pregnant mistress stopped charge of campaign violence but acquitted on one are there

comparisons to be made in these two cases? >> well, based on personal indiscretions on the part of politicians don't seem to do that well in court. but i think the people assessing the conduct of public officials consider their indiscretions as well. it is not good for gary hart it is not good for john edwards even though john edwards was acquitted. he was acquitted before favorable jersey in north carolina. he was a popular figure there. truck may not be that popular new york. that is our jury system. those cases are not really precedent here. we should not refuse to prosecute trump because john edwards was successful in front

of a north carolina jury. that just really is not relevant to exchanges and chicago democrats library. >> one question for the guests. is it illegal for some to call the state's attorney after an election asked him to find more boats? thank you. >> to call a states attorney questions going back to the issues in georgia and the focal the president made at the time. oh. that is going to be a question of fact we called the secretary state of georgia can you find me some more boats?as i'm sure he'll take the position he wasn't saying do something improper he was simply saying can't you keepki counting? these figures are not corrected. whether a georgia jury will believe him or not i do not

know. the evidence is strongly said that purdy also approached apparently the speaker of the georgia legislature to try to get him to overturn the vote. whether asking to do that is a crime under georgia law, i'm really not qualified to say. but the allegations seem to be quite sensational. never happened before in our history we will have to see how it plays out with the special grand jury made recommendations. now it's up to fanny willis of the prosecutor to decide whether the budget should be brought. >> are guesses james owen former assistant u.s. attorney for the southern district of new york. his focus plate plaintive and cheap imports of donald trump 3500 lawsuits. and he also was a talk show conversations with jim siren.

a little about the talks from what you talk about? >> of course because i'm a lawyer this seems to be more illegally oriented. but we talk about foreign relations, foreign policy kevin rudd the farmeria from his serve troy who is now the australian ambassador to the unitedas stat. bill burns is the cia director. i interviewed republicans. i've interviewed former governor who was an excellent guest. i interviewed harvard law school. i've interviewed a number of prominent figures in the world of entertainment, journalism, and law. it is hathor talkshow available on youtube, nationally available in the new york area and it is

available on public television stationsou throughout the count. excerpts call for you sir is from diana florida, republican line.or morning. >> good morning diane i'm happy to hear you. i love florida. >> well, i limit sometimes, sometimes i don't. the reason i am calling is to commend you. because yes i am a republican, i am not a donald trump supporter. i guess i would be called a rhino, that is what they call it. there is no one above the law and as you stated, not even the president of the united states were tohe joe biden or donald trump. but i want my republican colleagues to stop defending a man they know in their hearts is corrupt and that is it for today. thank you.

most well, i wish i could disagree with you. here's a tweet from one of our viewers the issues questionable issues, hypocrisy is not really that big of a deal. going first will diminish following cases says let georgia go first. >> i think itt will unfold in te order that it unfolds. brexit seems to be very close to indictment. said he would be indicted today. we do not know what the timing is going to be. d we do not know how close willis is to following an indictment at all in georgia. we have to take it in the order in which it comes. >> he described the next steps? what's the first thing will happen is an agreement it is

very interesting to see whether trump will be arrested and brought before the court which is so in many cases. with all the detectives and officers surrounding us is led into the courtroom. hope the booked and fingerprinted a half to be photographed but he will appear before a judge will plate not guilty with targets that are brought. that's called an arraignment, the judge will next bail. no one things is a flight risk. notably motions will be broad

similar cases brought in some issues you have raised the underlying crime and other related issues. motions will be resolved if the motions are denied a date will be fixed for trial and then cheroot will be empowered. it will certainly be a trial of the century kind of trial. it was treason. a contest to corruption charges

who unleashes vice presidents in regards to that end the clear and get it for 2024 and the timing of that case comes forward in 2024. interfering with his candidacy for president of the united states. the process in 2024. thus the kettle calling the pote black. there is absolutely nothing to prevent the indictment or the conviction he ran for president for jail.

it only got a million votes. there is nothing in the constitution or the law that prevents either an indicted defendant's or a convicted defendant from seeking the presidential office he or she meets the other qualifications. "let's hear from laurie she is from california independent line. specific charges in the mind might lead to an arrest. first i've heard these nondisclosure agreements are perfectly legal. the agreement was stormy it was legal and actually common when the other guys coming with money like trout. "i understand some of the

charges are that they believe he should have listed the money he gave to stormy as a campaign expenditure because it was to help him win the election. combination of listed it for that reason i guess. on his campaign expenditures. so anyway, finally i just want to say about the student loan forgiveness, right before an election they didn't would announce that he was to forgive all of these loans to like 40 million people. it would i'm going to cause you right there because of the nature of the car having. >> there off the point it's quite commonplace for them, presidents seeking reelection to introduce legislation they think might help their candidacy.

here circumstances falsification, of records and deceit which are prosecutor's dream. i'm payment to stormy after she threatened on the eve of the election to tell the national enquirer would tryst with a trump in the beverly hills hotel with the payment to storm it was papered up as a settlement agreement as you would as you would in the midst of a lawsuit. actually stormy had no claims against the trust. we payment came from michael

cohen. was indictment the prosecutor star witness. michael cohen borrowed on his home home equity loan to get the 130,000 dollars which he deposited in a phony bank account for a consultant a corporation that did not exist. in mid- the 130,000 dollars in bank accounts. there is michael cohen at 130,000 dollars. trump says we will papered up as a legal fee. one rendered no legal advice. there is a retainer agreement which was phony just phony monthly invoices.

cohen can be repaid there is a falsification of business records. that is a crime in new york prevents a crime has been prosecuted many, many times if you are i did it will be prosecuted to print the question the only question is a i legal question should be a felony or misdemeanor? misdemeanors punishable by one year in jail as felony is by fr years in jail. and so there's a question where they would enhance the crime or felony because in the underlying election law. it's got to tom in michigan, democrats line. >> good morning, thanks for taking myy. call. the hate everyone has for trump, i get that. when i look back it starts with russia collusion with the fake

dossier the justice system is for pfizer warrants. i guess they start with that. there has been a seven-year coup against trump. i guess my question is this, why isn't adam schiff being prosecuted for his lies question are quick so as this is a democrat? the courts why, what difference does it make? what's new democrat or not? except independent i'm either or and not a straight ticket voting. >> well, you're caught on the democratic line i just wanted to clarify. i let her guest answer. >> now i think that question is the same affliction i referred to before. robb a bank i'm prosecuted for its nondefense estate if adam schiff robbed the bank be prosecuted and tapered that something issue. the issue is, did trump commit a crime in new york? that is the issue that will be presented if he is enzymatically

presented to al jury. that is our legal system prevents in the constitution. that you be thinking about. you should be thinking about the rule of law in this country and not adam schiff. >> and recall this is david north carolina, republican line. i am sorry. david go ahead. >> yes, just a guess to feel donald trump as a private citizen and all of the people prosecuted for january 6, does he feel they've got all of their rights under due process or people were held in or months and sometimes year? dhe specifically wins the case n the impeachments, was there a cross-examination in either the impeachment for january 6? out into interested to know is he is on that. lexi generally six cases of so

far resulted in convictions. the legal system was adhered to. i cannot comment on the circumstances of bail or no bail or whether they were a flight risk. all of these defendants appeared before a judge. all asked for bail the judge felt they were entitled to bail. they got it, were admitted to build those who were not entitled to were remanded pending the trial. so i don't really know the facts about that. i am to work due process was adhered to. as you generate sixth, we still do not know because jack smith was a special counsel. inin the apartments speaks to is violence and the no filings yet against the so-called higher ups on generate sixth. people were not present at the

capitol today the president a might have directed that or incited or conspired with them. which tells what you are watching for you guys had virtually from your cult legal career what you're going to pay attention to particularly? >> the first thing we have to pay attention to is what is bragg going to do? it appears he's going to file an indictment. it will be very interesting if he does to see what is charged in the indictment, what crimes are alleged, we do not know what that legal theory of the prosecution is. we do not know. and i am sure that media will be filled with defenses as they have been up until now. there's the issue of one of trump's lawyers was apparently formerly approached about being a lawyer for stormy daniels and

whether he is limited in what he can do for trump. it's going to be a lot of interesting legal issues. this is a historic case if it is abrupt. it's the first time in our history of former president has ever been exposed to criminal charges. >> and jim's book is plaintive and cheap imports of donald trump 3500 lawsuits results the host ofos conversations with jis iran can be seen in the new york metropolitan area and on pbs stations as was youtube. thank you for your time. >> thank you so much. >> cspan2 washington journal every day we are taking your calls live, on the air, on the news of the day will discuss policy issues that impact you. coming up thursday morning the latest on the proposed parents bill of rights act with virginia republican congressman bob good. well friend democratic

congressman mark as well as the current legal issues facing former president donald trump. and axes to compulsory reporter ashley gold previous testimony by tiktok ceo. testifying before the health, energy and commerce committee on the company's privacy and data practices. watch washington journal live at seven eastern thursday morning on c-span or on c-span now are free mobile app. during the discussion with your phone calls, facebook comments, text messages and tweets. ♪ >> friday 8:00 p.m. eastern defense brings you after words from the tv. more nonfiction authors are interviewed by journalist, legislatures and more on the latest books. this week client journalist angela explores the origins of patriarchy that spreads as a society around the world watch

after words every friday 8:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. lexi spent is your unfiltered view of government. funded by these television companies including media come. >> @media, we believe by the live here, or right here, or way out in the middle of anywhere it should access to fast reliable internet. we. x media comp support c-span on the other television providers. giving a short receipt of democracy. ex- ceo of madrona testified on the increase in price for the coming 19 vaccine before the senate health committee. other topics include the partnership between madrone and the federal government during thede