UCL History's Dr Mitchell Robertson appears on BBC Radio 4 "The Briefing Room" - aired 6 April 2023

Mitch Robertson was invited as a guest expert on the BBC Radio 4 "The Briefing Room" programme, hosted by David Aaronovitch, to provide 'in-depth explainers on big issues in the news'. He appeared on the episode on 'Trump's legal woes' which was recorded the day after the former President of the United States pled not guilty to 34 felony counts in New York over payments made to the adult star Stormy Daniels.

Also on the programme were BBC North America correspondent, Anthony Zurcher, former federal prosecutor, Renato Mariotti, and Chatham House's, Leslie Vinjamuri. The first two guests dissected the legal challenges facing the former President, while Dr. Vinjamuri and Dr Robertson discussed the historical parallels and political consequences. Specifically, Dr Robertson drew from his research to compare President Trump's situation with that of former President Richard Nixon, whose pardon by his successor, President Gerald Ford, likely saved him from multiple indictments.

Listen to the full episode

Biography

Dr Mitch Robertson is an Associate Lecturer in US History. He is a historian of the modern United States. He is currently completing a book, provisionally entitled The Afterlife of the Great Society, on how bureaucrats and public interest lawyers worked in concert to protect and expand anti-poverty programs during the rise of neoliberalism.

In addition to his academic work, Mitch has provided informed commentary for BBC News, BBC World Service, LBC, and EuroNews. His writing has also appeared in the Washington Post.