Presented by Working Forests Initiative — ⌚ Plus: Patiently awaiting Trump's VP pick announcement
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12:30 REPORT
It’s Monday. This heat wave is not letting up! I hope you’re all staying hydrated and cool. Here’s what’s happening:
We’re waiting for the Supreme Court to wrap up some of its blockbuster rulings this week.
The high court agreed to hear a case on transgender rights next term.
Former President Trump says he made his VP pick. Keep reading for some of the speculation.
Taylor Swift broke the internet this weekend during her London tour stop with a selfie she took with the British royal family AND having TravisKelce appear as a surprise performer on stage.
I’m CateMartel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.
????️In the Supreme Court
Just sitting here twiddling our thumbs. Cool as a cucumber:
The Supreme Court’s highly anticipated decision on former President Trump’s immunity argument is expected this week.
Why this case could have massive ramifications: This case could impact whether former presidents are found accountable for any criminal actions they take while in office.
The gist of Trump’s argument: His legal team argues that as a former president, he is shielded from prosecution for any actions he took while in office and after he left office. The prosecution argues that presidential immunity *only* applies to sitting presidents.
‘Supreme Court opinion season nears climax: 5 major decisions to come’: The Hill
➤ RELATED READS ON THE TRUMP IMMUNITY CASE:
‘Something’s Rotten About the Justices Taking So Long on Trump’s Immunity Case’: Op-ed in The New York Times
‘What the Hell Is Going on With the Supreme Court’s Trump Ruling?’: The Daily Beast
Already thinking about next year’s agenda:
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case next term about Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care. Oral arguments will likely begin at the end of 2024.
Check out this CBS News map tracking abortion restrictions implemented in the past two years. It’s striking.
????On The Campaign Trail
Some drama this morning:
CNN’s Kasie Huntcut off an interview with a top spokesperson for former PresidentTrump this morning after she repeatedly attacked the moderators for Thursday’s debate.
What happened?: Hunt asked Trump national press secretary Karoline Leavitt what former PresidentTrump will do differently in this debate, referring to his clashes with President Biden in 2020. In her response, Leavitt described CNN as a “hostile environment,” and then slammed CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. After some back and forth, Hunt stopped the interview.
Hunt posted on X: “You come on my show, you respect my colleagues. Period. I don’t care what side of the aisle you stand on, as my track record clearly shows.”
Make your VP bets now:
Former President Trump told NBC News over the weekend that he has chosen his running mate but wouldn’t say who it is.
Yes, but: When asked if Trump’s vice-presidential pick knows they’ve been selected, Trump said, “No, nobody knows.”
Who’s on the shortlist?: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.)
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) says she hasn’t received any vetting paperwork to be considered as former President Trump’s VP pick.
Keep in mind: Several prominent Republicans have received vetting materials. “A source familiar with the matter told The Hill earlier this month that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Tim Scott (S.C.) and JD Vance (Ohio) received vetting requests.”
What could have cost her the spot: She ruffled a lot of feathers by writing in her new memoir that she shot her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, after taking it pheasant hunting. She wrote that she “hated” the dog and described some behavioral issues.
Hey, Senate Democrats are sick of all of this talk:
The Hill’s Alexander Boltonreports that “Senate Democrats are feeling exasperated by their inability to stamp out persistent speculation that party leaders have a plan B to replace President Biden atop the Democratic ticket due to concerns about his age and weak poll numbers.”
How so?: “They’re tired of hearing about the hand-wringing of Democratic voters and donors over Biden’s age and electability and sick of reading about Rube Goldberg-like schemes, some of them pushed by Republicans or conservative media, to shake up the Democratic ticket.”
‘Trump ran up national debt twice as much as Biden: new analysis’: Axios
‘In This Debate, CNN Is the Decider’: “One network is in charge of every aspect of the Biden-Trump debate, a major shift from previous years. Tens of millions of viewers are expected to be watching.” The New York Times
???? The Talk of Social Media
Combining Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and the royal family may actually make the internet combust:
Travis Kelce made a surprise appearance on stage during Taylor Swift’s
Eras Tour concert over the weekend in London. During a performance of her song "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart," Kelce carried her across the stage dressed in a top hat and tails — and as The Washington Post posted out, it “sent fans into a frenzy.”
That’s not all: Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte attended one of Swift’s shows over the weekend — and then took a selfie with the pop superstar. One of my favorite parts of the photo is Kelce posing with his Team USA Olympic hat.
???? I can just smell this photo: NBC News’s Kelly O’Donnell posted a photo of the White House lawn being mowed this morning. ???? Photo
???? On The Agenda
The House and Senate are out. President Biden is at Camp David for debate prep. Vice President Harris is heading to the West Coast. (all times Eastern)
12:55 p.m.: Harris leaves for Phoenix.
1:15 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller briefs reporters. ????Livestream
6:30 p.m.: Harris speaks at a campaign event in Phoenix. She then leaves for Los Angeles.
9 p.m. Thursday: Biden and former President Trump face off in the CNN presidential debate. ???? Details and logistics
