Donald Trump Indicted
Ask Students: How do grand juries determine indictments, according to this story? Why has Trump not yet been arrested, according to this story?
Former President Donald Trump has been indicted, his lawyer says. It’s the first time any ex-president has been charged in a criminal case and it comes as Trump is running again. Review the terms below, then watch the video with Amna Nawaz and Geoff Bennett who discuss the case with two former federal prosecutors, Renato Mariotti and Jessica Roth. For a transcript of this story, click here.
Key Term
Indictment — A charge or formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. Indictments are decided by grand juries, who are presented evidence and witnesses from a prosecutor such as a district attorney. It is important to know that indictments aren’t determinations of guilt, and that the accused are not convicted until they can represent their own case at a trial.
Grand jury — a body of citizens gathered by a prosecutor to determine whether or not an individual should be the subject of criminal charges. Grand juries can decide not to indict based on a prosecutor’s evidence, though they are not tasked with determining guilt or innocence.
Discussion Questions
- Who is interviewed for this story, and what are their backgrounds?
- Where is Trump facing criminal charges?
- What is known about the charges so far?
- How do grand juries determine indictments, according to this story?
- Why has Trump not yet been arrested, according to this story?
Focus Question
As this story makes clear, Trump’s indictment marks the first time a current or former president has ever been charged with a crime. How do you think such a charge will affect how the public views the presidency?
Media Literacy: This story was broadcast shortly after charges against Trump were first reported in the media, and the details of the indictment were not yet known. How do the anchors and guests for this story make clear what they know and what they don’t know? Do you think they clearly explain where their information is coming from?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
