Wednesday briefing: a legal blow for Trump
A court has rejected Trump's immunity claim
A federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity in a criminal complaint accusing him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election. The court ruled that he – like every other American – was subject to federal criminal law and should stand trial.
The ruling is unlikely to be the last 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 ruling answered a question that an appeals court had never answered: Can former presidents escape responsibility from the criminal justice system for the things they did while in office?
“For purposes of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all the defenses of any other criminal defendant,” the panel of judges wrote. “But any executive branch immunity that may have protected him while he was president no longer protects him from this prosecution.”
What's next: If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, there is a chance a trial on the election charges could take place before the general election in November. But if the judges take their time, a trial could be postponed until after the election. If Trump were to win, he could ask the Justice Department to dismiss the case or even try to pardon himself.
For more: Here's where each of Trump's four criminal cases stand.
A fifth of Gaza's hostages are dead, Israel said
Israeli intelligence officers say at least 32 of the remaining 136 Israeli hostages have been killed. That is about a fifth of all hostages captured by Hamas during the October 7 attack.
The deaths have been confirmed and military officials said the families have been notified. Israeli officials also said agents were also assessing intelligence indicating that at least 20 other hostages may also have been killed.
The news is likely to worsen the debate in Israel over the government's handling of the war in Gaza. Survivors and families of the hostages have said the campaign is putting their loved ones at risk. They wanted Israel to prioritize a new hostage deal rather than continue with the invasion.
Armistice: Hamas has responded to a ceasefire framework that could free hostages in Gaza. The US Secretary of State said there is “a lot of work to be done.”
A visual examination: A social media analysis found that Israeli soldiers in Gaza filmed themselves apparently destroying civilian property.
What's next after King Charles' diagnosis?
Prince Harry arrived in London yesterday to visit his father, sparking speculation that the king's health crisis could lead to 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 if he were to become incapacitated. My colleague Mark Landler writes that sidelining Charles, who has been a highly visible royal, could ultimately force the royals to rethink how they want to brand 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-exile (Harry and his wife Meghan) . ), and other health problems (Catherine, William's wife).
Cancer diagnosis: Experts wondered what type of cancer the king might have, noting that such a diagnosis was not unheard of during routine examinations.
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The cutting edge of Korean food in NYC
Korean dining in New York has never been so interesting, dynamic and diverse. A single company, which owns or co-owns 21 restaurants – including the critically acclaimed Atoboy and Atomix – is generating much of that innovation.
The Hand Hospitality company has achieved in its restaurants what many non-Western establishments in the US still find difficult: gaining broad appeal while targeting a limited audience – in this case young Koreans and Korean Americans eager to sample the energy flows from South Korea.