“CBS Sunday Morning” host Jane Pauley sat on a white chair, flanked by blue-green video boards, and perched in front of a purple background as she introduced Julian Zelizer’s commentary on the historical significance of former President Trump’s indictments. When Zelizer, the Malcolm Stevenson Forbes, Class of 1941 Professor of History and Public Affairs, appeared on screen wearing a gray suit and dark brown tie, the backdrop was no longer a playful amalgamation of color. Instead, the stoic black tapestry behind him only added further drama to the political landscape in the United States today.

“The new indictment of former President Donald Trump constitutes a historic turning point,” Zelizer said. “This promises to be the most important criminal trial in American history.”