This morning we’re covering a key hearing in the prosecution of Donald Trump, an important moment for the future of the country as well as the 2024 election. I also try to devote time to making sense of or simply identifying the big trends driving global history today. One which has fascinated me for years is the relative eclipse of state power in the favor of private corporations and individuals who in various ways act with the power we associate with states or become so powerful that they put themselves significantly beyond the power of states to control.

By landing on March 4, 2024, Judge Chutkan set Trump’s trial date two YEARS earlier than Donald Trump wanted.

In a surprising and unexpected development, Trump White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has taken the stand in federal court in Atlanta, where a judge is considering his motion to remove the Georgia racketeering prosecution from state to federal court.

Giving testimony in open court exposes Meadows to cross examination and significantly increases the potential for misstatements, inconsistent/contradictory testimony, and other bad outcomes from his point of view.

High risk strategy by Meadows. We’ll have more later today …