SUMMARY

While Donald Trump holds a decisive lead in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, his 2024 calendar will be full of legal challenges and court appearances. In four major criminal cases, the former president faces 91 felony counts and two key civil cases could cost him millions of dollars in damages. Geoff Bennett discussed Trump's legal troubles with NPR's Carrie Johnson.

For a transcript of this story, click here.

News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM UP QUESTIONS

1. How many criminal counts does Donald Trump currently face?
2. Who is Carrie Johnson, and what is her background?
3. What is the Fourteenth Amendment's "insurrection clause" and how is it being applied to Trump?
4. When will Trump's criminal trials take place?
5. Why does Trump's legal team argue that he is immune from prosecution for acts he committed while he was president?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

How do you think criminal charges will impact Trump's presidential chances? Do you think he should be protected from charges because he is running for office?

Media literacy: How can you find out more about the charges Trump faces?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

FOR MORE:

What students can do: After this story was originally broadcast, it was announced that the state of Maine joined Colorado in declaring that Donald Trump was ineligible to have his name on the ballot for president in 2024 due to his participation in insurrection against the U.S. Read the following article, then read the Fourteenth Amendment (section 3). Then discuss —

• Do you agree that states should keep Trump off the ballot based on the wording of the Fourteenth Amendment?
• What other acts do you think would be covered by the insurrection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?
• Who do you think should decide whether or not candidates are eligible to run for president?

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