Trump’s Immunity Argument and Abortion Rights
Former President Donald Trump’s claim to absolute immunity from prosecution based on his former high office will be argued before the Supreme Court today. Trump is facing 34 charges in a Manhattan courtroom in a case billed by prosecutors as a criminal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will also hear arguments regarding a federal emergency care law that supersedes state bans on abortion in nearly all cases. The Justice Department argues that hospitals should provide abortions if necessary to stabilize the health of an emergency room patient, regardless of state abortion bans.
Ukraine Aid Package and Trump’s Policy Directives
The Senate on Tuesday passed a $95 billion emergency foreign aid package, ending months of bitter fighting over $61 billion for the war in Ukraine. The package also includes $15 billion in military aid for Israel and $9 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza and other war-torn areas. Despite Trump’s opposition to the reauthorization of a wireless surveillance program and the foreign aid package, both are set to become law. Republicans are signaling that they view Trump’s policy directives as mainly for dramatic effect on the campaign trail.
GOP’s Ukraine Aid Split and Ocasio-Cortez’s Surrogacy
The GOP’s right flank is heating up, with hardline conservatives throwing their support behind a primary opponent of moderate Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales. Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is emerging as a key surrogate for President Biden’s reelection campaign, targeting young people and progressives. Ocasio-Cortez’s surrogacy comes with parameters, as she has criticized the administration’s handling of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Escalating Conflict in Gaza and US Aid
Heavy shelling and bombing of northern Gaza continue despite the Israeli army’s earlier announcement that it was drawing down its troops there. The Biden administration says Israel has taken steps to improve the flow of aid to Gaza but stresses that more work needs to be done. Meanwhile, Israel has procured tents for Palestinian civilians it intends to evacuate from Rafah in southern Gaza ahead of a promised assault on the city.
Ukraine Aid on the Way and Empathy Rebound
The congressional aid package will provide Ukraine with much-needed relief to stabilize the front lines. Among the first weapons to be sent are likely artillery and air defenses. While more ambitious goals, such as retaking more territory, may not happen this year, analysts say. Despite political division and global conflict, research shows that empathy among young Americans is on the rise. Empathy had been plummeting over decades, but recently, researchers have chronicled a “pandemic of kindness,” as charity donations and volunteering increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
