A court rejected Trump’s immunity claim
A federal appeals court has rejected Donald Trump’s claim of absolute immunity in a criminal indictment accusing him of plotting to sway the 2020 election. The court ruled that he is subject to federal criminal law — like every other American — and must stand trial.
The decision is unlikely to be the final word. Trump, who is on track to win the Republican presidential nomination, is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.
But it is an important moment in American law. The decision answered a question an appeals court had never answered: Can former presidents avoid being held accountable by the criminal justice system for things they did while in office?
“For purposes of this criminal case, former President Trump has become a Trump citizen, with all the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the panel of judges wrote. “But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as president no longer protects him from this prosecution.”
What’s next: If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, there is a chance the election charges could go to trial before the November general election. But if the judges take their time, a trial is likely to be delayed until after the election. If Trump were to win, he would be able to ask the Justice Department to drop the case or even pardon himself.
For more: Here are each of Trump’s four criminal cases.
A fifth of the Gaza hostages are dead, Israel said
Israeli intelligence officers say at least 32 of the remaining 136 Israeli hostages have died. That’s about a fifth of all the hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack.
The deaths were confirmed and military officials said families had been notified. Israeli officials also said officers were also evaluating information indicating that at least 20 other hostages may also have been killed.
The news is likely to exacerbate the debate in Israel about the government’s approach to the war in Gaza. Survivors and families of the hostages said the campaign was putting their loved ones at risk. They wanted Israel to prioritize a new hostage deal, rather than continue its invasion.
Ceasefire: Hamas responded with a ceasefire framework that could free hostages in Gaza. The US secretary of state said there was “a lot of work to do”.
A visual survey: An analysis of social media found Israeli soldiers in Gaza filming themselves destroying what appears to be civilian property.
What’s next after King Charles’ diagnosis?
Prince Harry arrived in London yesterday to visit his father, prompting speculation that the royal’s health crisis could lead to a reconciliation between Harry and his family.
The burden of the king’s illness is likely to fall heavily on his 41-year-old heir, William, who would assume the king’s duties should he become incapacitated. My colleague Mark Landler writes that the ousting of Charles, who has been a highly visible king, may finally force the royals to rethink how they choose to present themselves in an age of social media.
Context: The king’s cancer diagnosis is the latest blow to the British royal family, which has seen its ranks depleted by death (Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip), scandal (Prince Andrew), self-imposed exile (The Harry and his wife, Meghan ), and other health problems (Catherine, wife of William).
Cancer diagnosis: Experts weighed in on the type of cancer the king might have and noted that such a diagnosis was not unheard of during routine tests.
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ARTS AND IDEAS
The pinnacle of Korean food in New York
Korean food in New York has never been more interesting, dynamic or diverse. A single company, which owns or co-owns 21 restaurants—including the lauded Atoboy and Atomix—is creating much of that innovation.
The company, Hand Hospitality, has achieved in its restaurants what many non-Western establishments in the U.S. still struggle to do: gain wide appeal while targeting a narrow audience—in this case, young Koreans and Korean-Americans who want to experience the energy pouring out of South Korea.