It's time for Justice Matters with in New York and Glenn has a few

takeaways to share.

So my overarching thought when I woke up this morning as Donald Trump's trial was set

to begin was this.

Today we take an important first step toward fulfilling the long dormant American promise that no one is above the law.

Yes, we have a long way to go

to make that promise a reality,

but the fact that a former president of the United States

will be tried for his election interference, crimes, matters.

Now friends, let's briefly start with some of today's reporting.

And then I want to take on three developments in court today

and try to translate them from legalese to English.

But I hope you'll forgive me if we start with a little bit of the

atmospherics of today's trial proceedings. This from the New York Times. A weary Trump appears to doze off in courtroom

ahead of criminal trial. And that article begins, former President Donald Trump seemed alternately irritated and

exhausted Monday morning as his lawyers and prosecutors hashed out pretrial motions before jury selection in his criminal case.

Even as a judge was hearing arguments on last minute issues in a criminal case that

centers on salacious allegations and threatens to upend his bid for the presidency,

Mr. Trump appeared to nod off a few times, his mouth going slack and his head drooping onto his chest.

The former president's lead lawyer, Todd Blanch, passed him notes for several minutes before Mr. Trump appeared to jolt awake and notice them.

At other times, Mr. Trump whispered and exchanged notes with Mr. Blanch. He sat motionless

while his own words from the infamous Access Hollywood tape on which he bragged about grabbing women's genitals were read from a

...