The Supreme Court takes issue with citizenship and NASA’s upcoming lunar campaign: Morning Rundown
In today’s newsletter: The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the fight for birthright. NASA will launch four astronauts into space for a 10-day lunar mission. And no punishment for the crew of the Army helicopter flying near Kid Rock’s house.
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Here’s what you need to know today.
The Supreme Court is considering Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship
The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on one of the biggest issues of President Donald Trump’s second term: birthright citizenship.
Trump’s executive order, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship to people with at least one parent who is a US citizen or permanent resident, was quickly blocked by the courts and has never taken effect.
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This order upholds the traditional understanding of the citizenship clause in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states: “All persons born or born in the United States, and under their jurisdiction, are citizens of the United States.”
Trump said plans to attend oral arguments personally, the unusual move comes after weeks of attacking lawmakers over their ruling against his tax bill.
Attorney General D. John Sauer argued in court papers that the citizenship clause was intended to apply primarily to the children of freed slaves and cited an 1884 Supreme Court case that explained why Native Americans did not have birthright citizenship at the time.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge to the court order, argues that the text of the 14th Amendment is too self-explanatory. The group’s lawyers also pointed to a Supreme Court decision in 1898 that concluded that a man born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was an American citizen.
Read more to learn why Many legal experts say that the president is facing a tough time in court.
Other political news:
- The Supreme Court has ruled against Colorado’s ban on talk therapy aimed at LGBTQ youth it violates free speech rights of a conservative Christian therapist.
- A federal judge issued the order to temporarily prevent construction of the new White House ballroom and any other demolition of the East Wing.
- Trump signed an executive order that aims to create government voter listsa move that is sure to be challenged in court.
- The University of Pennsylvania must comply with the Trump administration’s request looking for a list of Jewish workersa federal judge ruled.
- Trump was like that met with a mixture of cheers and boos when I attended the opening night of “Chicago” at the Kennedy Center before it closed for two years.
Countdown to Artemis II: NASA is ready for the moon launch
We are just hours away from our first lunar mission in over 50 years. The four astronauts will leave the Kennedy Space Center at 6:24 pm ET on a 10-day journey that will take them to Earth and the moon.
Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen will be the first people to board NASA’S Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule. They won’t land on the lunar surface, but the mission is designed as a stepping stone to 2028, with the hope of establishing a long-term presence on the moon. Read more about the four astronauts here.
Harrison Schmitt, who left his boot prints on the lunar surface in 1972 as part of Apollo 17, had some advice for Artemis II: “Make sure you get your training down. Schmitt, now 90 years old, shared many memories in an interview with NBC News. Read more here.
The crew will test Orion’s life support systems and see how well the capsule protects against space radiation and other potential emergencies. Assuming the launch is successful, the astronauts are scheduled to orbit the moon on Monday, and could travel further from Earth than any human has ever been before, surpassing Apollo 13’s record of 248,655 miles set in 1970. The capsule is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on April 10.
Here’s what you need to know about the job. And later today, visit NBCNews.com to watch the live stream of the launch.
Trump to address nation with ‘significant’ update on Iran war
President Trump will address the nation tonight about the war on Iran, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said. His remarks are scheduled for 9pm ET.
These words of the president came after a day of fuel prices hit $4 for the first time since mid-2022. Meanwhile, JetBlue i to raise baggage feesand United Airlines passenger costs have already increased in anticipation of a shortage of jet fuel.
But while Americans shoulder the costs of the war — and the ongoing DHS shutdown — Congress left Washington for two weeks. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has urged Trump to start a war with Iran, was spotted at Disney World a few days ago. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia was photographed at a casino in Las Vegas over the weekend. Trump himself has spent time playing golf despite previously criticizing President Barack Obama for his love of the sport.
Yesterday, in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump said that “we are doing well” and that the conflict in Iran “will end.” Later, he told reporters that he expects the US to leave Iran within two or three weeks.
Where the US stands as the war moves into its second month.
Follow our live news about the war.
There was no investigation after military helicopters flew over Kid Rock’s house
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there would be no punishment and no investigation after two military helicopters flew into the home of singer and Trump supporter Kid Rock over the weekend.
“No punishment. No investigation,” Hegseth wrote in X. “Go on, patriots.”
The military stopped the flight crew from Saturday’s incident, a US official said yesterday before Hegseth’s announcement.
The military identified the aircraft as AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the Nashville area and said “appropriate action will be taken if there is a violation.”
Another thing you need to know about this incident.
read all about it
- American journalist was captured in Iraq by suspected Iranian-backed forces, according to US and Iraqi officials. She was later described as Shelly Kittleson in one of her works.
- The World Cup qualifying race is over and Iraq got the 48th and last place. Four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties.
- Tiger Woods said he was away from golf to seek treatment after his DUI arrest in Florida.
- The FDA has green lighted a drug for a rare disease called Hunter Syndrome. For families in the race to save their children’s lives, medicine it gives them new hope.
- The group suing the company behind David’s Protein, alleging that the products’ labels misrepresented calorie and fat content, he dismissed the case.
Staff Selection: After a person dies following a denial of insurance, one state deals with pre-authorization
Last year, Eric Tennant was at war with his health insurance over doctor-recommended cancer care as he sought a less invasive treatment that would not cure the disease but would buy him more time and improve his quality of life. It wasn’t until reporters asked questions of the Public Employees Insurance Agency that the insurer withdrew its denial and approved the procedure.
But it was too late. Within a week of the conversion, Tennant was hospitalized, and by summer, he was no longer considered suitable for the procedure. Tennant died in September at the age of 58.
Stories like Tennant’s highlight the challenges patients and loved ones face trying to get the treatment they need. But in his death comes a change that will hopefully help others in the future: This week, the governor of West Virginia signed a bill aimed at curbing the harm of insurance denials.
– Elizabeth Robinsonnewspaper editor
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