The Two Paths For Democrats Have Big Risks

This article is part of The D. C. Brief, TIME’s politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox. The fever didn’t break over the weekend. In fact, it only worsened. Since President Joe Biden’s calamitous showing Thursday night during a debate against former President Donald Trump in Atlanta, Democrats have been in the midst of a very public freak-out.

The Supreme Court on Monday provided former President Donald Trump with significant legal protection against prosecution for actions taken during his tenure in the Oval Office. In a ruling split along ideological lines, the Justices held that Presidents enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts but remain susceptible to charges for unofficial conduct—a decision that has profound implications for Trump’s pending criminal cases, particularly those stemming from his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said that a President “may not be prosecuted for exercising his core constitutional powers, and he is entitled, at a minimum, to a presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts.” In doing so, the Supreme Court left it up to the lower court to review which conduct is protected and immune from prosecution. Read More: Supreme Court Rules Trump and Former Presidents Have Some Immunity for Official Acts Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a fiery dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, criticized the majority’s stance, arguing that it elevates the President above the law and undermines accountability. While the case is a landmark ruling on the powers of the American presidency, it will have immediate effects for Trump, the first former President in history to be indicted.

NASA administrator weighs in on China’s historic lunar far side samples — and potential US access CNNChina opens Chang'e 6 return capsule containing samples from moon's far side Livescience.comChina says U. S. can't stop it from taking 'giant steps' in space The Washington PostSamples from moon's far side 'thicker, stickier' ecnsChang'e-6: China's space probe returns with rare Moon rocks BBC.com

Colorado’s new statewide paid-leave program doled out more than $311 million in compensation to tens of thousands of workers in its first six months, the state Department of Labor and Employment said Monday. More than 62,000 workers have had their pay partially replaced under the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (or FAMLI) program.

Rabid fox bites Alabama woman while she unloads her groceries AL.comRabid fox attacks, bites Atmore woman, health officials say WKRG News 5Atmore Resident Bitten by Rabid Fox Alabama's News LeaderAtmore woman attacked by rabid fox while unloading groceries 1819 NewsAtmore woman bitten by rabid fox, state health department says WZDX

COVID 2024: Current guidelines on vaccines, symptoms, isolation period USA TODAYNew Covid Shots Recommended for Americans 6 Months and Older This Fall The New York TimesCDC Advises Updated COVID Vaccine for Everyone Over 6 Months of Age U. S. News & World ReportCDC updates vaccine recommendations as COVID cases on the rise WSB AtlantaThe Vaccines You'll Need This Fall and Winter TIME