The Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity is under attack from President Joe Biden. Hurricane Beryl is headed toward Jamaica as a Category 5 storm. And transgender runner Nikki Hiltz sets a record for running on her way to the Olympics.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Biden slams Supreme Court immunity ruling as ‘encouraging’ for lawless president
A groundbreaking and consequential Supreme Court decision yesterday ruled that former President Donald Trump has immunity for some of his actions as president in his federal election interference case. The decision virtually ensures that the case over Trump’s efforts to stop the transfer of power after the 2020 election won’t begin until Election Day.
Hours later, President Joe Biden delivered a speech White House spokesman Mark Smith called the decision a “terrible disservice” to Americans and portrayed the lack of a pre-election trial as a shift from the courts to the voting booths.
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The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, along ideological lines, found that Trump was entitled to essential presidential functions and “at least presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution” for acts “within the outer perimeter of his official responsibility.” The court’s three liberal justices said the conservative majority’s decision “will have disastrous consequences” for the United States.
Biden also echoed the liberal justices in his remarks, warning that the ruling means there are now “virtually no limits on what the president can do.”
“I disagree,” Biden said. Read more about Biden’s reaction here.
The ruling sets the stage for hearings before U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in special counsel Jack Smith’s indictment should be considered official acts. Chutkan will have to decide whether the indictment against Trump can be sustained after removing the allegations for which Trump cannot be charged. Here’s exactly what that entails.
Learn more about the Supreme Court’s decision:
- Although the judges ruled on a case involving Trump, This has major implications for future presidents.
- Trump’s lawyers want judge to intervene in his hush-money trial to postpone the sentencing and to set aside the verdict of the trial after the Supreme Court decision.
- decision should add new twists to the Georgia racketeering case against Trump and his allies.
Hurricane Beryl Strengthens to Category 5 on Track to Jamaica
Hurricane Beryl is now a Category 5 storm and is expected to maintain its “major hurricane” status when it passes over Jamaica tomorrow, the National Hurricane Center said. Beryl made its first landfall yesterday morning as a Category 4 storm over parts of Grenada and the Windward Islands – and broke a surprising record The storm is expected to maintain hurricane strength until it reaches Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula Thursday night or Friday morning.
Meanwhile, one person was reported dead in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and authorities in Grenada said the damage was extensive. Here’s what else we know.
Mistrial declared in Karen Read murder case
Prosecutors said they plan to retry a murder case against Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman accused of killing her police officer boyfriend, after a judge declared a mistrial. Read was accused of ramming her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her Lexus SUV and leaving him for dead in 2022. Read’s lawyers have described O’Keefe’s killing as a cover-up by law enforcement.
The jury foreman said in a memo to Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone that despite rigorous efforts, the jury of six men and six women still had no answers. Some felt the evidence exceeded the standard of proof needed to convict Read, while others felt prosecutors had failed to make their case. Learn more on the arguments put forward during the trial.
California faces double weather whammy
A heat wave is expected to begin today in inland California, spread across the Pacific Northwest and deeper into Southern California later in the week and persist through the weekend, the National Weather Service said. The Sacramento Valley could see temperatures as high as 115 degrees, and the heat could remain above 80 degrees even at night in some places. Dangerous fire conditions will accompany the sharp rise in temperatures, with Pacific Gas & Electric warning that power outages are likely in 10 California counties to reduce the risk of wildfires. Both weather threats coincide with the Fourth of July weekend, when millions of people will be out partying.
Discover the counties of California are expected to experience “major” and “extreme” heat risks this week.
The death of a 13-year-old refugee boy, shot by police last week after he pointed a replica gun at them, has sparked outrage and sadness among members of the upstate New York community. Police say Nyah Mway was one of two youths arrested Friday in connection with an armed robbery investigation. Nyah ran from officers and then pointed a replica gun at them, police said. Video shows Nyah being shot after being wrestled to the ground.
Nyah’s death has hit home for members of the Karen ethnic minority in Utica, New York. The Karen are among the groups at war with military regimes in Myanmar, the Southeast Asian country formerly known as Burma. “It brings back a lot of trauma that we don’t even want to talk about, but unfortunately we have to relive,” said LuPway Doh, a Karen leader in Utica. Doh said the community now wants to know why the teenagers were arrested“to the reason why the trigger had to be pulled.”
Paris 2024: Transgender runner Nikki Hiltz heads to the Olympics
Transgender and non-binary middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz punched her ticket to Paris in the 1,500 meters this past weekend. Not only is Hiltz on her way to the Olympics, she also ran the second-fastest American time of all time and set a trials record of 3:55:33. In a post-race interview, Hiltz said the race was “bigger than me.” More information on Hiltz’s reaction here.
Other highlights of the Olympic Games:
- 🤸🏼♀️ 16-year-old gymnast Hezly Rivera told NBC’s “TODAY” show she went from being a star of the future to a teammate on her way to Paris “It’s so surreal.”
Politics in brief
The fallout from the debate: Days after his disastrous debate performance, President Biden still hasn’t called personally Top Democratic leaders will bolster their support, five sources said. And former President Trump’s timetable for announcing his vice presidential running mate took a break.
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Staff Picks: ‘Ghost Ship’ Owner Recounts How His Boat Ran aground on Florida Beach
Michael Barlow dreams of selling his possessions and starting a new nomadic life with his wife and son aboard a sailboat. But those dreams may be on hold for a while. One reason is that he was forced to abandon ship in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Another reason: The boat ran aground on a Florida beach a few weeks ago, and now Barlow has only bad choices ahead of himThis story is interesting on many levels, but what struck me most was Barlow’s determination to return to the high seas. — Elizabeth Robinson, Newsletter Editor
In case you missed it
- Former Cleveland police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice resigned from a small West Virginia police department amidst public reaction.
- NBA stars Klay Thompson, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and more make their next moves on the first full day of free agency. Here are the biggest signings.
- Mother of American veteran Pat Tillman called Prince Harry ‘controversial and divisive’ after being chosen to receive an award in honor of his late son.
NBC Select: Online Shopping Made Easy
Summer is not short of sales: Ulta Beauty’s Big Summer Sale has already started if you need to stock up on sunscreen or skincare products. And there are plenty of sales for the 4th of July, but before you jump in, discover the best offers and which items you should wait to buy later.
Subscribe to The Selection newsletter for handy product reviews, expert buying advice, and a sneak peek at the best deals and sales every week.
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