The first of former President Donald Trump’s four criminal prosecutions heads to trial today and Manhattan's first Black district attorney Alvin Bragg finds himself thrust into a political firestorm. Bragg, previously criticized for his perceived leniency on crime, now navigates the prosecution of Trump amid accusations of partisanship from the former president and his supporters. Despite facing racist attacks and death threats, Bragg maintains the case is akin to any other financial crime, emphasizing accountability under the law.
Jesse J. Holland is an assistant professor and the associate director of the George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs. He is an award-winning journalist and the author of the first novel featuring comics’ most popular black superhero, The Black Panther. He is a former Race & Ethnicity writer for The Associated Press, having been recognized as one of the few reporters to be credentialed to cover all three branches of the American government during his career: the White House, the Supreme Court and Congress. Holland can discuss how media coverage can affect what’s going on in the courtroom and how coverage will define the impact of this case.
“Bragg’s is obviously watching what happened in Georgia with Fani Willis and how outside issues and media coverage can affect what goes on inside the courtroom. In addition to worrying about his case, he’s going to have to monitor the media to make sure that nothing is bubbling up that can be used to delay, affect, or used to appeal the case he’s trying to build,” Holland says.
If you would like to speak with Prof. Holland, please contact GW Senior Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].
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