Jen Psaki: Your guide to Trump v. New York

Trump's historic hush money trial is finally here

VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news with Jen Psaki Saturday, April 13, 2024 Trump's historic New York hush money trial is finally (almost) here By Jen Psaki Donald Trump's historic New York hush money trial begins on Monday. He will be the first former president ever to stand trial in a criminal case. MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin breaks down what we can expect:   What should we expect to see on Monday?   After covering three Trump civil trials in the last year (the two E. Jean Carroll trials and the New York attorney general's fraud trial), the one thing I count on is that anything can happen. From further last-ditch efforts to delay the trial through state appeals courts or even the Supreme Court, to violations of the existing gag order, my only expectation is that something unexpected will go down. And remember: Judge Juan Merchan has warned that any violation of the gag order could result in a finding of criminal contempt, which is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.   But assuming we get to jury selection quickly and painlessly, you should first watch to see how many prospective jurors self-identify as unable to serve. Those folks will be automatically excused, according to the jury selection protocol Merchan implemented this week, without any questions. It will be fascinating to see whether prospective jurors flee for the exits or, as seemed to be the case in the second E. Jean Carroll trial in January, if many really want to participate.   What does jury selection then look like?   Prospective jurors will be sat in the jury box, 18 at a time, and they will read their answers to the 42-question jury questionnaire. What I'll be most interested in is how both the prosecution and defense follow up with further questions — and both who and how quickly they try to strike specific prospective jurors. Under New York law, for the category of crime with which Trump has been charged, each side is entitled to challenge 10 jurors for unstated reasons. But they're also entitled to unlimited challenges for cause, like when a potential juror's answers suggest that they simply can't or won't be fair or impartial. Trump's legal team continues to argue their client cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan, so watch for the defense to exercise challenges for cause early and often.   Read more exclusive insights from Jen Psaki here. And tune into "Inside with Jen Psaki" Mondays at 8 p.m. ET, and Sundays at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC. TOP STORIES PAUL WALDMAN Donald Trump and Mike Johnson just mixed two big lies together Donald Trump and Mike Johnson's big Mar-a-Lago announcement was embarrassingly transparent. Read more. JORDAN RUBIN How Trump's first criminal trial can be won or lost before it even starts Trials can be won or lost in jury selection. Donald Trump's hush money case is no different. Read more. KATELYN BURNS I sometimes miss my Catholic faith. The Vatican's new decree reminds me why I'll never go back. The church's message this week likely stamped out whatever hope I ever had to come back to Catholic services. Read more. JA'HAN JONES How conspiracy theorists and liars are getting rich off of the Israel-Hamas war As Israel has continued its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, its restrictions on journalists' access to the region have drawn scrutiny. Read more.         TOP VIDEOS KATY TUR Sen. Joe Manchin: 'I cannot for the love of my country endorse Donald Trump' WATCH NOW ALL IN 'Gentleman's Big Lie': Hayes rips MAGA attempt to sanitize stolen election lies WATCH NOW ALEX WAGNER TONIGHT Kari Lake abruptly dumps past support for old abortion ban and exposes her ignorance of child tax law WATCH NOW MORNING JOE Joe Scarborough calls out Trump supporters 'knowingly voting for a fascist, voting for a racist' WATCH NOW MORE FROM MSNBC Monday at 10am Eastern, Ana Cabrera and José Díaz-Balart kick off special coverage of the first of former President Trump's criminal trials as jury selection begins in New York, with Andrea Mitchell, Chris Jansing, and Katy Tur picking up coverage throughout the afternoon. In a special "Why Is This Happening?" podcast series called "WITHpod 2024: The Stakes," Chris Hayes talks to experts about Joe Biden and Donald Trump's presidential records on specific policy areas in the lead-up to November. This week, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, joins Chris to unpack immigration policies under both presidents, the state of the asylum system and more. Listen now. MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community. This weekend on MSNBC SATURDAY MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" at 5pm ET: Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) MSNBC's "Ayman" at 7pm ET: Fmr. U.S. Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones… President & CEO of Anera Sean Carroll… Halah Admad   SUNDAY MSNBC's "The Weekend" at 8am ET: Acting Secy. Of Labor Julie Su… Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.)… Michael Beschloss MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki" at 12pm ET: Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigieg… Fmr. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano MSNBC Films presents 'XCLD: The Story of Cancel Culture' at 9pm ET   *Subject to change 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE PRIVACY | CONTACT | UNSUBSCRIBE