Chuck Todd: Dershowitz Is Arguing A 'Legal Theory For One' Person

In this Dec. 2, 2019, file photo, attorney Alan Dershowitz talks to the press outside federal court, in New York. Retired law professor Alan Dershowitz says he hasn't changed at all and has a long history of representing people whose views he doesn't necessarily agree with. Dershowitz is part of President Donald Trump's defense team at the Senate impeachment trial.

Zoe Mathews is a producer for Boston Public Radio and the producer of The Scrum podcast.

January 30, 2020

Updated August 07, 2023

One of President Trump's attorneys, Alan Dershowitz, argued in the impeachment trial Wendesday that he did nothing wrong because presidents can engage in quid pro quo for personal political benefit as long as they believe their reelection is in the public interest.

MSNBC “Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd joined Boston Public Radio to discuss the latest in the impeachment trial of the president.

“I don’t even think he cares whether it’s believed or not, he’s got everybody talking about him," said Todd. "No one else in (Trump's) legal team is arguing this, in fact half the Republican conference yesterday actually tried to distance themselves from this crazy legal theory of Dershowitz's. But guess who wants to hear that. This is a legal theory for one. This is what the President wanted. He wanted one person on his legal team to make the argument he did nothing wrong."

Todd also took a stab at forecasting whether the trial will have witnesses.

"I think the only drama left is whether it's 50/50 or not. And if it's a 50/50 vote, then it'll be interesting to see what kind of role the Chief Justice decides he should play or not. Does he continue to be a glorified game show host who's just reading questions, or does he get involved here."