3 Trump disputes the Supreme Court could take on

The high court is poised to play a pivotal role in the 2024 presidential election.

View this email online Support This Newsletter Hello! Have you ever wondered why this newsletter is free? Across the NPR Network, we value open access to reliable journalism. Free, quality news sources are becoming rare. We stand steadfast in our mission to keep EVERYONE informed, regardless of their ability to pay.  How do we fund our work? We're made up of non-profit organizations, and we rely on your support. Your donation fuels our journalists, amplifies the truth, keeps our content accessible, and more. Every dollar makes a difference. Please donate today to amplify our work in 2024 and beyond. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR's Senior Political Editor/Correspondent  December 23, 2023 This week, we looked at the Supreme Court's influence in 2024 and how GOP candidates are talking about schools. Plus, Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy after a defamation case. The Big Picture Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Less than a year away from the 2024 presidential election, one thing is now clear: The Supreme Court is poised to play a pivotal — if not decisive — role. Public confidence in the court has plunged amid ethics scandals and the move to overturn a landmark abortion case last term. The sheer number of issues now on its docket that relate to Trump could prompt even more intense scrutiny. The Supreme Court has a conservative majority with three Trump-nominated justices, though it's not clear how they'll view these cases. Here are three of the legal disputes to watch: 1. Presidential immunity Trump is advancing a bold argument to defend himself against conspiracy charges related to his efforts to cling to power in 2020. His lawyers say he's entitled to absolute immunity — a complete shield — from federal criminal prosecution, because he was president at the time. Special counsel Jack Smith says no one is above the law — not even a former president. Prosecutors asked the Supreme Court to step in and decide once and for all, but on Friday the Supreme Court declined to do so in an expedited way. It could still take up the question at a later time. 2. Obstruction of Congress The Supreme Court plans to review the case of Joseph Fischer, a former police officer charged with obstructing an official proceeding at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Fischer says the Justice Department overreached when it charged him under a corporate fraud statute usually reserved for people who tamper with documents and evidence. But prosecutors have deployed that law against more than 300 other Capitol rioters — and it forms the basis of two charges against Trump in the D.C. federal case, leading to questions about whether the court might upset dozens of other convictions and sentences. The court will hear the case in its current term and could announce its ruling sometime in June. 3. Insurrection and the oath office A divided Colorado Supreme Court ruled late Tuesday that Trump could be barred from that state's 2024 Republican primary ballot since he took an oath of office and then engaged in insurrection, in violation of part of the 14th Amendment.  Trump has vowed to appeal the "completely flawed" decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Until then, the Colorado ruling is on hold into the new year. — Carrie Johnson, NPR justice correspondent Read More Newsletter continues after sponsor message ICYMI: Top Stories Joe Raedle/Getty Images Violent rhetoric builds following the Colorado ballot decision: Supporters of Trump have taken to online spaces, where they’ve expressed calls to take up arms. According to researchers, terms like “insurrection” and “civil war” saw an uptick just within hours after the Colorado Supreme Court made its decision. Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy: Trump’s former campaign attorney has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy paperwork, just one day after a federal judge ordered he immediately pay two Georgia election workers nearly $150 million for defaming them over the 2020 election. In his declaration, Giuliani said his assets range from $1,000,001 and $10 million. Why schooling is a big topic on the campaign trail: GOP candidates have talked a lot about schools — not on academics, but what they see as a cultural war being waged over issues like sexuality and parents’ rights. NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben reports that the rhetorical move from the candidates are important not necessarily because it translates into actionable policy, but it signals to voters what their core values are when it comes to divisive topics. George Santos x Ziwe: Comedian and writer Ziwe Fumudoh’s interviewed George Santos this week. The former New York Republican representative was expelled from Congress earlier this month amid a slew of felony charges. Santos reflects on some of his most viral moments during his time on the job and says he is considering running for office again in the future. “I’ll be back," he said. Looking for a last minute gift for the podcast lover in your life? Give them access to NPR+ benefits for 6 or 12 months with a simple one-time payment that supports your local station. NPR+ is a growing collection of over 20 podcasts that are the same NPR shows you know and love (which will always be free to enjoy), but with added perks like bonus episodes, sponsor-free listening, archive access, and even early releases. You can even customize your gift with a personal message and schedule delivery for a specific day. So how about it? Will you give a gift that makes an impact? Just proceed through the link below and select the "gifts" option in the top navigation bar. Get NPR+ The Shot Caitlin O'Hara for NPR In more than 50 community colleges across the country, students are enrolling into boot camps: crash courses for training early-career technicians to create semiconductors — those small electronic devices that power everything from military weapons to smartphones.  The educational initiative is part of President Biden’s $52.7 billion effort to bolster U.S. semiconductor production capabilities through the historic 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. As NPR’s Asma Khalid reports, the Biden administration says the move will strengthen the U.S. economy and reduce dependence from countries in Asia, where the bulk of the world’s semiconductors are currently made.  The only problem? There aren’t enough workers in the U.S. to fill Biden’s demand. — Jeongyoon Han, NPR elections editorial assistant Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from St. Louis Public Radio (edit station). What do you think of today's email? 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