Democracy on Trial: Soumya Dayananda (interview) | FRONTLINE

Soumya Dayananda served as senior investigative counsel for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. For more than a decade prior, she was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York. She is currently a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher in Washington, D.C.
This interview offers perspective and legal analysis on the four-count federal indictment against Donald Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
The interview was conducted by Kirk Documentary Group’s Mike Wiser for FRONTLINE on Oct. 12, 2023. It has been edited for clarity and length.
This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/in...
#Frontline #Interview #SoumaDayanada
Love FRONTLINE? Find us on the PBS Video App, where there are more than 300 FRONTLINE documentaries available to watch any time: to.pbs.org/FLVideoApp
Subscribe on KZbin: bit.ly/1BycsJW
Instagram: / frontlinepbs
Twitter: / frontlinepbs
Facebook: / frontline
FRONTLINE is produced at GBH in Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional support for FRONTLINE is provided by the Abrams Foundation, Park Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund, with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen. Additional support for this program is provided by the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation.

[@frontline]

This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore more interviews from "Democracy on Trial" here: kzbin.info/aero/PL_pPc6-qR9ZyWnFlH6G5Ph_r_PKmNs0wG

[@tracevicente]

Thank you for doing this. Watching them all like the ones done over a year ago.

[@americandude3825]

Fwew! Trump 2024!!!!

[@rickboucher8765]

I'm waiting for Frontline to start investigating the current president 😨.

[@americandude3825]

@@rickboucher8765 agreed. They won’t. Corporations are his only donors.

[@Kroogles]

You're doing good work, Frontline. Even though many people remain willfully avoidant of independently corroborated facts, documentation of these events matters for posterity.

[@tishhobbs6998]

These documentaries are so very interesting. Judge Luttig's is incredible. & I really enjoyed Rusty Bowers'. He's very real and unapologetic of the fact as he experienced them. His reaction to Trump and Giuliani is just hilarious. His integrity and defense of the Constitution & his state is very respectful and responsible. I could listen to him and Luttig tell stories all day. Didnt understand his impression that Trump had anything to do with appointments of judges he just did what he had to do to keep McConnell tolerant of his BS. & a bit disappointed he approved but im not a republican. That being said, those two older white conservative gentleman are tremendous and im very happy they were where we needed them at the time.

[@Diaz.et.Pam.]

Agree with you. When he was describing Ghouliani’s antics I was in stitches.

[@maryknight4109]

​@@Diaz.et.Pam.- Thank you both. 👍👍

[@ubertcoolie8694]

L

[@tishhobbs6998]

@Diaz.et.Pam. the way RB's face couldn't tell a fib if he wanted, sees BS in the horizon and has that are you F-ing kidding me smirk is so much. I laughed a lot, which was nice in-between spitting fury.

[@lissanne9769]

This Frontline was very helpful in putting a timeline to Trumps insurrection plans. Thank you PBS for this fantastic documentary video for everyone to hear and see the truth.

[@brianchase9251]

This goes beyond Trump's ego. There is no doubt in my mind that he has mental issues. The GOP has dug itself into such a deep hole over the last 7-8 years and they just keep digging. My former party is unsavable at this point, and it will take at least a generation to overcome. Quite possibly two generations.

[@rap4880]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@johnsmolley1941]

You succeeded on all counts--compelling testimony, withering questions, organized fact set and all woven into a beautiful tapestry. Thank you.

[@compo1948]

Another excellent interview!

[@MrsCairo777]

She is extremely intelligent and sharp. Ms Dayananda speaks very clear and concise and she uses no notes. i’m very impressed.

[@josephlee2318]

I’m impressed she is poo art of a compromised establishnent moving to Marxism. WAje up impressionable

[@breezeanonymous6034]

Is her background from African types of nations in India?

[@yvonnefarrell1029]

As I recall (I sound like a witness; whatever!), in 2016, after Donald Trump did win the presidential election over Hillary Clinton, he started complaining about "voter fraud". He was already laying groundwork.

[@ONE1BEAT]

Interesting reminder of the pattern of his manipulative rhetoric ! Thank you

[@alexred1038]

He started way before with Romney vs Obama

[@cassieo4337]

It was clear that he was up to no good the moment he started going after the media and doj in 2016 campaign.

[@JohnDoe-jh5yr]

Roger Stone created the "Stop the Steal" movement in 2016

[@sassenachdragon]

In addition to claiming that Obama cheated Romney, he also claimed that Ted Cruz cheated him in the Iowa Caucus, which is most absurd because the caucus is a very public vote people vote in front of everyone about who they support (you segregate yourself in groups). He is a serial cheating complainant (the proverbial boy who cried wolf).

[@SnuffSimon]

Excuse my french, but PBS is the shit. Keep doing your good work with these series.

[@jdbeards1]

you are right, they are sh t!

[@compo1948]

Well said!!💯

[@HeyGuy4321]

​@@compo1948hail pbs and hail the American nation

[@davidwilkie9551]

The picture of actual integrity, thank you.

[@juscholten4248]

The fact that the judge overseeing the Miralago indictment has managed to stall justice should give one pause.

[@lindaSmith6588]

I agree!!! The courts are not holding Trump to the law. Vote blue. 🗳

[@VictoriaPL]

I like that you keep the camera on the interviewee while the questions are being posed to them. I like to see the initial reaction.

[@mwb229]

Thanks, Soumya Dayananda.

[@americandude3825]

My buddy works with her. She’s a total mouth piece. She’s been written up a dozen times for lying and pay fraud. Can’t fire her due to affirmative action.

[@jakebe4915]

The discussion on intent was fascinating..Bravo..

[@ONE1BEAT]

Thank you for your commitment , validating our Democracy, protecting us from those delusional / entitled people who think they are above the law or manipulate the law 😢 , “Carry on !!! For the benefit of “all” !

[@LeroyArmbruster-hw8qm]

Speech ls free but lies cost millions

[@rickboucher8765]

Not if your a Biden. They earn millions on lies 🤣

[@rap4880]

Are you implying that the 20+ witnesses who testified before the J6 Committee were lying? All but a few of the witnesses were Republicans who either worked in the White House for Trump or were members of Trump's administration. Ivanka & Jared Kushner even testified. Every witness testified under oath or affirmation to tell the truth about Trump's actions in the weeks leading up to & on January 6 , 2021. Many of the people who testified were attorneys or state officials who swore an oath to "preserve, protect, & defend the Constitution of the United States. If anyone who testified before the J6 Committee testified falsely, they will be prosecuted for perjury.

[@TV-jd8pz]

🎄👍🎁 훌륭하고 아름다운 영상~❤️💚 아름다운 메세지~🔷️🔶️ 힐링합니다.~💕💕 참 좋습니다.🙆‍♀️ 늘 응원합니다~👏👏👏 행운과 행복으로 가득찬 2024~!!!!!! 🎄🧸🪅🎀☃️🎁🎉🧧 당신의 친구 🥰🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷 🎸송힐링 기타사랑🎶

[@r11h57]

I am always amazed with the depth and quality of the Frontline interviews: incredibly analyzing, eloquent with views from many angles. I always watch all the interviews in whole, not the shorter clips, and then watch the documentary. Best time spent, I always learn a lot and it increases my respect for the people being interviewed, even though my political views are not necessarily theirs. The question on oath to Rusty is something that people have asked me and though I am not religious, my answer is basically the same: it means everything.

[@AN-cy7xm]

This woman is so clear and unwavering in the way she speaks about all of this craziness that it gives me some hope that we will find a way past all of this.

[@mesflyer]

She has more patience than me. "How historic is it that prez indicted?" Not at all. Happens every day and twice on Sunday. I don't know if I could refrain from telling that reporter to stop wasting my time with stupid effing questions.

[@nullusernamex]

I think the point of that question is to teach the viewers and the interviewee expected that, right? Because Frontline stated the purpose of this series (The Transparency Project) is to illustrate the workings behind complicated sources like this for laypeople. Unfortunately, there's actually a lot of people that know nothing about history or government! That's why I am happy these series exist. I might be biased (thus wrong) because my partner works in a similar position to her, and he expects questions like this in interviews because his purpose is to inform rather than to enjoy the interview on an academic/professional level. So if it helps, it doesn't bother him at all, just part of the role.

[@franciskoalmonte]

For real!

[@Ryanuuuwuu]

16:20 or so the video feed is cut even though the audio is fine. They clipped something out.

[@HKim0072]

lol, I chuckle every time she makes the point of saying, "the former president". Even one time, she said, "the former president", but in the next sentence said, "vice-president" to refer to Pence.

[@HKim0072]

Side note: even with all this madness, we are an incredible country. This lawyer spent years in the NYDA office and EDNY. Then, worked for the government. Always find it amazing some of these lawyers toil away for decade(s) without making any real money after 3 years of law school. Seems just recently she got hired by a private firm. Side note 2.0: also, the trend that lawyers tend to trend Dem and law enforcement trends GOP. Never understood it.

[@daisyshorts5958]

Watch interview with chief of Capital police and footage from Jan 6 that was not show in committee hearings...

[@HKim0072]

7:00 what a stroke of luck. The dude that was President of ABC News for 7 years (and a ton of other experience) happen to leave in '21 and was out of work.

[@kodyblack6366]

Trump tried to pull a Kim Jong Un on Jan 6th and thought his supporters that stormed the capital was his North Korean army😂😂😂. Trump makes me laugh

[@rap4880]

Trump meets the legal definition of insanity because he literally does not know right from wrong & he is incapable of conforming his behavior to the bounds of the law.

[@Beardog53]

This looks like the director's comments on making a movie

[@rap4880]

You say that ⬆️ to say what?

[@HKim0072]

lol, you've never watched Frontline? They do many multiple interviews for their main piece. They'll take maybe 5 minutes of this interview.

[@judeau9151]

she’s pretty 🤤

[@jackmitton2534]

whatever.....who failed?

[@rap4880]

Donald Trump failed in his infantile attempt to overturn a free & fair election he lost so that he could remain in power.

[@sharonlindseay3980]

More crazy leftists😂😂😂😂😂

[@creekwalker62]

6oo meters

[@juscholten4248]

Oh please...

[@Paskudnak]

MAGA

[@rickboucher8765]

The Mueller report was based on lies from the British special agent 😂😂😂😂

[@drvonnostrum2671]

Actually it wasnt, punk

[@rickboucher8765]

They're just giving Trump bullets for his reelection 😮

[@farmer1129]

Sorry its not working.

[@Kroogles]

Dude's gonna die in prison, fam.

[@farmer1129]

@@Kroogles Your little heart's gping to be broken. good always wins over evil never forget that

[@Kingtut672]

​@farmer1129 the Gods must have fallen on their heads. Now, if good for tou is cheating, threatening our democracy, encouraging people to assault our elected representatives then I really feel sorry for you. May God have pity on your soul . If you a human that is.

[@jacqdanieles]

​@@farmer1129if that were remotely true, that pos would have been in prison years ago

[@JohnDoe-jh5yr]

Your fear is showing that it is working.

[@jamesmckee9246]

Start on Biden

[@mljones655]

There is already an impeachment inquiry into Biden. But it's all accusation & no facts or evidence.

[@debralambert4840]

Affirmative Action Hire box checked

[@mljones655]

She was a prosecutor prior to this. She's as qualified as anyone else.

[@JohnDoe-jh5yr]

Diversity equals strength

[@szechuan1871]

Fragility 😂

[@newguy6935]

And debra wishes she had even just 1/10th of Soumya's qualifications.

[@robertpendergrass7996]

That would be your response to any American of color in authority ! Think about what that makes you and people like you ? People of color already know who you are that's the sad thing about America. We keep pretending racism isn't a problem in America ! Only fools believe in lies and liars especially when there's proof of the truth !

[@WhoIsWhatIDK]

Not a fan of Trump & would hope we have choices besides Trump & Biden but Trump derangement & this insanity to get him is real.

[@nullusernamex]

​​@@RickMartinKZbinunfortunately, a lot of Americans are really not equipped with adequate education (I don't mean school, just wisdom) or critical thought to understand the Trump issue geopolitically, in the context of history, and, most significantly, legally. I'm sure the lack of access to resources and hypercapitalism doesn't help people think well, either...

[@dissipatedtaint]

Read the January 6th Full Report. All 800-someodd pages of it. And look through the other attachments. Or at least read the Executive Summary. Hell idk I'm sure there's some version of an audiobook for it if you don't feel like reading, have someone read it to you. Do that. Actually have a legitimate understanding of what Trump actually did not just on Jan 6 but in the time between the election and Jan 6. Do that and then come back and let's see how you feel about this desire to "get him." Smh it's comments like these is exactly why our democracy disintegrating before our eyes and could be completely blown up if that wannabe Dictator/Crybaby/pathological liar is allowed to return to office.

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Hahaha nice try comrade 😂

[@franciskoalmonte]

Yes, we can see how you aren't a fan of him. FOX's talking points are filling your mouth. We, the people, can't ignore the conduct of criminals, specially those trying to overturn our republic and its Constitution.

[@ykcirnhoj2225]

Tds

[@donaldharlan3981]

That person is a fraud

[@CBigsby]

Please tell me that this is a joke.

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Nope YOU are the joke 😂

[@hadronoftheseus8829]

Do you have anything to say, or are you just typing for the exercise?

[@GOLDVIOLINbowofdeath]

What is validating about actions that just prove the partisanship of the Democrats who happened to be in power at the moment?

[@gazjaz2010]

what in the word salad is your actual point

[@mljones655]

But most of the witnesses were GOP.

[@MinneapolisSkip]

What are you ? 12 or 13 ?

[@rap4880]

Partisanship of the Democrats? The J6 Committee included 2 Republicans, 1 of which was Vice-Chair of the Committee. With few exceptions, the witnesses who testified before the Committee were all Republicans, most of whom had served on the White House senior staff, or in former President Trump's administration. All the witnesses testified under oath or affirmation to tell the truth, under penalty of perjury charges. Does that not mean anything to you?

[@rap4880]

Where were you from election day 2020 to January 6 , 2021 ? Did you not hear about Trump losing 61 lawsuits challenging the outcome of the 2020 election? Did you not hear the phone call between Trump & Brad Raffensperger, the Sec'y of State of Georgia, in which Trump threatened Raffensperger with criminal charges if he didn't "find" him 11,780 votes, the exact number Trump needed to win the election in Georgia? Did you not witness Trump's speech on 1/6/21, telling his supporters to march to the Capitol & "fight like hell or you're not gonna have a country anymore!"? Did you not see the videos of crowds of Trump's supporters assaulting Capitol police, & storming & occupying the Capitol building & threatening to hang former VP Pence in order to stop him from counting the electoral college votes confirming Joe Biden as the 46th POTUS? Did you not watch the Jan 6th Committee hearings, at which at least 20 witnesses, almost all Republicans, testified under oath or affirmation to tell the truth about Trump's actions in the weeks leading up to and on January 6, 2021 ?

[@williamschlosser77]

Which democracy? The USA is a constitutional republic.

[@kevinsheppard7517]

Have you read said Constitution? Evidently not because representative democracy is the hallmark of the republic. You're not smart buddy.

[@nancychandler3673]

So is Congo. The Constitutional Republic of Congo. I see that you're not the brightest bulb in the chandelier 😂😂

[@mattscott4286]

Wow, PBS. You’ll be remembered right up there with Pravda. How utterly embarrassing.

[@Kingtut672]

Hey comrade, how is Putin? It seems you read too much Pravda.

[@mattscott4286]

@@Kingtut672Make an original statement that wasn’t regurgitated into your open and willing mouth.

[@craigroseburgh9348]

@@mattscott4286Your breath is an embarrassment. How abt that one tRumper.

[@tracevicente]

Wow, Russia, eff all the way off.

[@hadronoftheseus8829]

You said nothing.