Welcome to the beat, I'm Ari Melber, and all eyes are on Trump's criminal cases in

Washington, where Jack Smith was back in court today.

In fact, seated in the front row, scoring a victory on procedure and timing, as well

as all eyes on, well, Atlanta, where indicted Trump White House veteran Mark Meadows took

the stand this very afternoon, making his bid to move that trial for him out of the

state court system.

And indeed, those two big hearings came as another January 6 case, also held a hearing

in the federal court house in Washington today, Trump White House veteran Peter Navarro.

Now, that's a lot going down in one day, both Navarro's hearing and the Jack Smith hearing

took place in the exact same courthouse where defendant Trump was arrayed.

We have more on the Navarro news later this hour.

The hearing and special counsel Smith case, well, that ended with some news.

The judge rebuffing defendant Trump's hope for a 2026 trial and ruling on a fast schedule.

The trial date is now set.

This is the first time we're reporting this.

March 4, 2024, a win for Jack Smith's team.

It's within about two months of their request.

It came after a top Smith prosecutor told the court today that the defendant, formerly

the senior most official in our federal government, is accused of historic crimes.

And thus, there's an incredibly strong public interest in a jury's prompt and full consideration

of those claims in open court.

The judge said trial dates do not and never, quote, depend on a defendant's professional

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