Welcome to the beat. I am Ari Melbert. Today marked the most consequential

court hearing in the coup prosecution of defendant Trump. We could see his

motorcade driving up to the Washington courthouse today and as Ali and

I were just discussing some important things

happened. Trump pulled up so that he the defendant could attend this

crucial appeals hearing which determines if this March coup trial will happen or not.

Trump and prosecutor Jack Smith were both seated right there near the front of the court.

This is the new court sketch from today and you can see... right there near the front of the court.

This is the new court sketch from today and you can see both of them.

Today's hearing reviews Jack Smith's win over Trump's claims that he should get blanket

immunity for anything and everything he may have

done in office.

And I can tell you tonight, it is now clear that Trump is on track to win again.

His team legally had a great day in court. They also have law and history on

their side of this issue because most president holds that former presidents are

not above the law. that is a legal premise shared by everyone from the Justice Department's own

law and standing rules to top special prosecutors like Smith or Mueller to Republican leaders

ranging from Presidents Ford and Nixon who were involved in that pardon for a

former president because they knew something pretty basic a former president

can be charged to say Mitch McConnell who's emphasized the same point to

Trump's own impeachment lawyers everyone I've just mentioned has said this fact legally.

Trump's lawyers said it in writing and on the Senate floor

...