In America, is it actually true that no person is above the law, not even a president?
That bedrock principle, so fundamental to our democracy, was the subject of a hearing before a federal appeals court Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Lawyers for former president Trump argued he should be ruled immune from culpability for his actions on January 6th, 2021, before a panel of three judges.
The judges indicated deep skepticism at the lawyers’ argument and posited scenarios that rendered them absurd. If a president sent Seal Team Six to assassinate a rival, under such reasoning, wouldn’t he be immune from prosecution? Trump’s lawyer fumbled and couldn’t refute that logic.
We may find out whether the court’s skepticism will translate into another legal defeat for Trump sometime soon. Or we may not. The legal process is complicated.
For the sake of our democracy, let’s hope it's soon. Because the authoritarian future Trump promises is drawing closer to reality.
HEADLINES:
Judges skeptical of Trump’s immunity appeal at court hearing for 2020 election interference case (NBC)
Experts break down what the Constitution, framers said about 'presidential immunity' (ABC)
The Most Absurd Moment From Trump’s Make-or-Break Immunity Hearing (Mother Jones)
The coming Trump constitutional crisis — and how to avoid it (The Hill)
Far Right Balks as Congress Begins Push to Enact Spending Deal (NYT)
House GOP stares down another internal fiscal fight as deadline looms (WP)
Gabriel Attal becomes France’s youngest prime minister (BBC)
Armed men storm an Ecuador TV studio during a live broadcast as attacks in the country escalate (AP)
The US Is Dealing With an Israeli Leader Who’s Losing Control (Politico Mag)
Global economy headed for worst half-decade in 30 years, World Bank warns (WP)
SpaceX releases ‘cringeworthy’ Elon Musk staff meeting video at the center of Wall Street Journal drug allegations (Fortune)
Austin was treated for prostate cancer, his doctors say (WP)
Has School Become Optional (New Yorker)
Scientists find about a quarter-million invisible nanoplastic particles in a liter of bottled water (AP)
2023 smashes record for world’s hottest year by huge margin (Guardian)
How will we remember this Michigan football team? As champions. (WP)
AI Safety Research Only Enables the Dangers of Runaway Superintelligence (Scientific American)
The Real World is Bailing on Artifical Intelligence (Inc.)
Wealthy Dad Surprises Child With Tree House He Can Airbnb For Passive Income (The Onion)
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