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12:30 REPORT
Happy Thursday! I’ve been off for only a few days and I feel like I could write an entire “We Didn’t Start the Fire” song with all of the news I missed. But anyway, here’s what’s happening *today*:
- The Supreme Court is hearing former President Trump’s presidential immunity case. It could determine whether his other criminal cases make it to trial.
- His lawyer had an alarming answer to a hypothetical assassination question at the high court.
- Airlines are now required to give automatic refunds to customers for flight delays, cancellations, etc. Keep reading for the list of refunds.
- Kim Kardashian is at the White House for a criminal justice reform event. I unfortunately won’t be there, so please, someone ask her about “thanK you aIMee” for me.
- Monica Lewinsky won the internet with a meme inspired by Taylor Swift’s new album.
I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
🏛️ In the Supreme Court
When you’re so popular that you’re the talk of multiple courtrooms at the same time:
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments today on former President Trump’s claim that he is immune from prosecution for actions he took while serving in office.
Specifically: The actions Trump allegedly took to overturn the 2020 election results.
Why this is important: This is the first time the justices will consider an appeal from one of Trump’s four criminal cases. This decision could determine whether the cases not currently on trial ever reach a jury.
Keep in mind: The former president's argument has already been rejected by two lower courts.
💻 Listen to the Supreme Court’s oral arguments live
🗨️ Live blog of today’s immunity case
The newsiest part so far: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked a hypothetical question: If a president ordered the assassination of his rival, would that be an official act protected by presidential immunity? “That well could be an official act,” Trump attorney John Sauer said.
Umm, uhhh, *looks around* *nervously clears throat*
📸 The line to get into The Supreme Court: HuffPost’s Jennifer Bendery posted a photo of the roughly 60 people hoping to get a seat in the court today.
➤ READS ON THE SUPREME COURT CASE:
‘Does the fact that the Supreme Court is hearing this case mean they see some merit in Trump’s argument?’: Yes, according to CNN.
“Certainly the fact that they did not want to let the lower court ruling stand is an indication that they think it’s important enough for them to give their own judgment on this. And that’s not really surprising. This is an untested Constitutional question.” Read CNN’s helpful Q&A
‘Donald Trump already won the only Supreme Court fight that mattered’: Vox’s Ian Millhiser argues that Trump’s immunity claim is “exceedingly weak,” but that his goal is to delay the trial. And by that measure, he’s already won. Read Millhiser’s full analysis
Even if Trump doesn’t win the case, there are two ‘attractive’ ways for Trump to lose: The first, according to The New York Times, is that the case goes at a slow pace and can’t wrap up before the November election. The other is the Supreme Court’s ruling adds legal complications that will further slow it down.
⚖️ Trump’s Legal Troubles
2020 is the year that will never end:
Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and other prominent allies of former President Trump have been charged in Arizona for attempting to prevent the lawful transfer of power from Trump to President Biden after the 2020 election.
The case: “Prosecutors accuse the 18 defendants of devising a scheme to raise false claims of election fraud to pressure Arizona election officials to overturn Biden’s narrow victory in the state. The indictment, which was dated Tuesday but became public Wednesday, describes lawsuits filed, alleged messages to county and state officials and the signing of the ‘fake elector’ documents in December 2020.”
Was Trump charged?: No, but he was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator. (The Hill)
➤ REACTION FROM A FORMER WHITE HOUSE ATTORNEY:
In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett, former White House attorney Ty Cobb accused Rudy Giuliani of “[selling] his soul” to protect Trump. (The Hill)
When your own team has low expectations…:
Alina Habba, an attorney for former President Trump, told Newsmax that she does not have high hopes for Trump winning the New York hush money case. (The Hill)
In Habba’s words: “I don’t have hopes really that high at this moment that the New York courts will do the right thing, that the jury will do the right thing. We’re in a blue state … and I think everything’s by design.”
Keep in mind: Habba is not representing Trump in the hush money case.
🛬 In Other News
If your flight is delayed, airlines will now have to give refunds:
Airlines will have to pay customers for delays, lost baggage and other inconveniences, according to the Department of Transportation’s new rules. Details of the new airline rules
A few examples:
- If your flight is canceled
- If your flight is delayed by three or more hours for domestic flights (six hours for international flights)
- If your departure or arrival airport changes
- If your checked bags are delayed
- If you pay for a service (Wi-Fi or a specific seat) and don’t get it
One of Harvey Weinstein’s convictions was overturned:
“New York’s highest court overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape and sexual assault conviction Thursday, ruling the judge who presided over the case made ‘egregious errors’ in the watershed trial.”
What happens now?: The court’s decision said, “the remedy for these egregious errors is a new trial.”
But: “Weinstein will remain in prison for a 16-year sentence after he was convicted of rape in 2022 in Los Angeles.”
Back story on the case: “Weinstein, 72, has been serving a 23-year sentence after being found guilty of a criminal sexual act and third-degree rape in New York City. Allegations surrounding Weinstein surfaced in 2017, helping kick-start the #MeToo movement, as more women began speaking out about sexual and gender-based violence.” (The Hill)
🐝 Internet Buzz
🍞 Celebrate: Today is National Zucchini Bread Day. But more importantly, today is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day!
👏 OK, Monica Lewinsky won this meme. We can all go home now: There’s a line in Taylor Swift’s new album, “You wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me.” Social media users have been posting childhood or traumatic memories with those lyrics as the caption. Lewinsky, the former White House intern who had an affair with President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, posted her own version of the meme. See Monica Lewinsky’s meme / More asylum memes / Some DC versions of the meme
🥂 This is something a gossip columnist would love to cover: New York Magazine’s Shawn McCreesh posted a list of the people spotted at New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams’s 94th birthday party at her Manhattan apartment: Kathy Hochul, Andrew Cuomo, Eric Adams, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, Al Sharpton, Kellyanne Conway, Bill O’Reilly, Don Lemon, Robert Thomson, Keith Poole.” “It was like the New York Post come alive,” McCreesh added. 📸 Photos from Page Six
🗓 On The Agenda
The House and Senate are out. President Biden is in New York. Vice President Harris is in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern)
- 2 p.m.: Biden delivers remarks in Syracuse, N.Y., on the CHIPS and Science Act and its investments into the economy. 💻 Livestream
- 2:30 p.m.: Harris hosts a roundtable for Second Chance Month. Kim Kardashian will join. 💻 Livestream
- 3:30 p.m.: Harris delivers remarks at the White House’s Take Your Child to Work Day. 💻 Livestream
- 6:15 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign event in Westchester County, N.Y.
- April 30: The Senate returns. 📆 Tuesday’s agenda
👋 And Finally…
And while I have you all here, could someone please help this dog eat a Cheez-It?
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