NEW: The prospective Trump jurors are a highly educated bunch. The first 9 potential jurors in the box this morning include 8 with college degrees, four of whom have advanced degrees (one JD; three MBAs). 1/

🚨BREAKING: First of its kind in the US, Colorado approves a bill to protect biological data, including neural data. Extremely important given the advancement of AI-based neurotechnology. Quote:

'2. The general assembly further finds that: (...)

e. Every human brain is unique,…

Merchan:

'But I'm directing that the press simply applies common sense.'

In an extraordinary order, the judge directs reporters not to report physically and audibly identifying information about the jury.

#BREAKING Juror 2 in the Donald Trump hush money trial has been excused after telling Judge Merchan saying 'aspects of my identity have already been out there in public...' 1/

The lead story from today's #UNC Brd of Governors mtg is the move to repeal DEI policy.
But note this slipped-in gem about 'institutional neutrality.'
This language would put *lots* of units out of business - ones that have nothing to do with #DEI . I'll explain.

Here's my messy spreadsheet tracking #SCOTUS 's merits cases during its current term, updated for the two decisions that the justices handed down this morning.

Among other things, you can see the (unsurprising) stacking up of pending decisions in 'major' cases:

Wow.

'More than half of prospective jurors in the first panel of 96 people have been excused after saying they could not be fair and impartial. At least 50 were let go for that reason'

— per Graham Kates in the press pool

👀

TRUMP IS BEING READ HIS PARKER WARNING:

MERCHAN: You have the right to be present during the trial and to assist your attorneys….do you understand?

TRUMP: “Yes.'

MERCHAN: If you disrupt the proceedings, you can be excluded from the courtroom and committed to jail based on…

Breaking: The prosecution is asking Trump's attorneys to argue why Trump shouldn't be held in contempt for violating the judge's gag order.

The prosecution argues that Trump's efforts continue to this day, including spreading falsehoods and attacking Michael Cohen.

Judge Juan Merchan has taken the bench and Trump’s trial is now underway. Right off the bat, the judge is addressing Trump’s efforts to get him to recuse himself. Merchan says it's the opinion of the court that Trump is using a 'series of inferences, innuendos and unsupported…

SCOTUS refuses to take up an appeal from DeRay Mckesson, whom the 5th Circuit has held liable for the violent actions of a random protester during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. But as Sotomayor points out, proceedings in the lower court are ongoing. supremecourt.gov/orders/courtor…

Trump is now at the courthouse for his first criminal trial.

A pretty consequential set of oral arguments coming up at the Supreme Court the next two weeks:

April 16: Jan 6 defendant's criminal appeal
April 22: Punishing the homeless
April 24: fed-state clash on abortion
April 25: Trump immunity

My new book on Baltimore's controversial spy plane program is now available for pre-order from University of California Press. Officially out in October, it is the only behind-the-scenes account of how Baltimore police actually used aerial surveillance.
ucpress.edu/book/978052039…

🚨BREAKING: The New York State Bar Association issues a report and recommendations covering AI and the legal profession. Quotes:

'In addition to competence, attorneys must resist viewing these tools through a techno-solutionism lens. 'Techno-solutionism' is the belief that every…

JUST IN: Jack Smith files his opening brief at the Supreme Court re: presidential immunity. The crux: Criminal law includes a million safeguards and due process protections that render Trump's claims about politically motivated prosecutions meritless. supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/2…

Whoa.
4.8 earthquake just now in New Jersey.
Felt in New York and Pennsylvania

JUST IN: Judge Merchan has expanded his gag order in light of Trump’s attacks on his daughter, saying they serve “no legitimate purpose” but to instill fear. nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/pre…

🚨BREAKING: The US Office of Management and Budget released a memorandum that requires government agencies to hire Chief AI Officers (CAIOs). They will be responsible for:

➵ Coordinating Agency Use of AI
➵ Promoting AI Innovation
➵ Managing Risks from the Use of AI

➡️CAIOs…