In today’s newsletter: The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the birthright citizenship fight. NASA will launch four astronauts into space for a 10-day moon mission. And no punishment for the Army helicopter crew who flew by Kid Rock’s house.
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Here’s what to know today.
Supreme Court weighs 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.
A Trump executive order, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship to people who have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, was immediately blocked by courts and has never taken effect.
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The order upends the traditional understanding of the citizenship clause in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Trump said he plans to attend the oral arguments in person, an extraordinary step that comes weeks after his attack on justices over their ruling against his tariffs.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in court papers that the citizenship clause was intended to apply primarily to the children of free slaves and cited an 1884 Supreme Court case that spelled out why Native Americans did not, at the time, have birthright citizenship.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge to the executive order, argues the text of the 14th Amendment is largely self-explanatory. The group’s lawyers also point to an 1898 Supreme Court ruling that concluded that a man born in San Francisco to parents who were both from China was a U.S. citizen.
Read more to learn why most legal experts say the president faces an uphill battle in court.
More politics news:
- The Supreme Court ruled Colorado’s ban on conversation therapy aimed at LGBTQ youth violates the free speech rights of a conservative Christian therapist.
- A federal judge issued an order temporarily blocking the construction of the new White House ballroom and any further demolition of the East Wing.
- Trump signed an executive order that aims to create federal voter lists, a move that is sure to be challenged in court.
- The University of Pennsylvania must comply with a subpoena from the Trump administration seeking a list of Jewish employees, a federal judge ruled.
- Trump was met with a mix of cheers and boos while attending the opening night of “Chicago” at the Kennedy Center ahead of a two-year closure.
Countdown to Artemis II: NASA readies for lunar launch
We are just a few hours away from liftoff for the first moon mission in over 50 years. Four astronauts will take off from the Kennedy Space Center at 6:24 p.m. ET for a 10-day journey that will take them looping around Earth and the moon.
Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen will be the first people to take a ride on NASA’S Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule. They won’t land on the lunar surface, but the mission is designed as a step toward a 2028 landing, with the hope of establishing a long-term presence on the moon. Learn more about the four astronauts here.
Harrison Schmitt, who left his bootprints on the lunar surface in 1972 as part of Apollo 17, had some advice for the Artemis II crew: “Make sure that you’ve got your training down pat. Be ready for anything unexpected, but have a great time. Enjoy it.” Schmitt, now 90 years old, shared more 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 circle the moon on Monday, and they could travel farther from Earth than humans ever have before, besting the Apollo 13 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 else to know about the mission. And later today, visit NBCNews.com to watch a live stream of the launch.
Trump to address the nation with ‘important’ update on the Iran war
President Trump will address the nation tonight about the war in Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. His remarks are scheduled for 9 p.m. ET.
The president’s remarks come a day after the average price of a gallon of gasoline hit $4 for the first time since mid-2022. Meanwhile, JetBlue is raising baggage fees, and costs for United Airlines passengers have already increased in anticipation of a looming jet fuel shortage.
But while Americans bear the cost of the war — as well as the ongoing DHS shutdown — Congress has departed Washington for a two-week recess. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who urged Trump to launch the war with Iran, was spotted at Disney World a few days ago. Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia was photographed at a Las Vegas casino over the weekend. Trump himself has spent time on the golf course despite previously criticizing President Barack Obama’s love of the sport.
Yesterday, in a phone interview with NBC News, Trump said “we’re doing great” and that the conflict in Iran is “coming to an end.” Later, he told reporters he expects the U.S. to leave Iran within two or three weeks.
Where the U.S. stands as the war extends into a second month.
Follow our live coverage of the war.
No investigation after Army helicopters fly by Kid Rock’s house
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be no punishment and no investigation after two Army helicopters were flown by the Tennessee home of musician and Trump supporter Kid Rock over the weekend.
“No punishment. No investigation,” Hegseth wrote on X. “Carry on, patriots.”
The Army had suspended the aircrew in Saturday’s incident, a U.S. official said yesterday before Hegseth’s announcement.
The Army identified the aircraft as AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the Nashville area and said that “appropriate action will be taken if any violations are found.”
What else to know about the incident.
Read All About It
- An American journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq by suspected Iranian-backed militants, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials. She was later identified as Shelly Kittleson by one of the publications she works for.
- World Cup qualifying marathon ends with Iraq securing the 48th and final spot. Four time world champions Italy failed to qualify after losing a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Tiger Woods said he is stepping away from golf to seek treatment after his DUI arrest in Florida.
- The FDA has greenlit a drug for a rare illness called Hunter Syndrome. For families in a race to save their kids’ lives, the drug gives them new hope.
- A group that sued the company behind David protein bars, alleging that the products’ labels misrepresented calorie and fat content, has dropped the case.
Staff Pick: After man’s death following insurance denials, one state tackles prior authorization
Last year, Eric Tennant was in a battle with his health insurer over doctor-recommended cancer care as he sought a noninvasive treatment that wouldn’t eradicate the disease but would buy him more time and improve his quality of life. It wasn’t until reporters posed questions to the Public Employees Insurance Agency that the insurer reversed its denial and approved the procedure.
But it was too late. Within a week of the reversal, Tennant was hospitalized, and by midsummer, he was no longer considered a suitable candidate for the procedure. Tennant died in September at the age of 58.
Stories like Tennant’s highlight the challenges that patients and loved ones face trying to get the treatment they need. But from his death comes a change that can hopefully help others in the future: This week, West Virginia’s governor signed a bill intended to curb the harm of insurance denials.
— Elizabeth Robinson, newsletter editor
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Spring cleaning has been top of mind for the NBC Select team lately. Our editors tested over a dozen shower cleaners to find the ones that are most effective at removing soap scum and water stains. They also spoke with experts to learn how to organize closets like the pros and rounded up the best cordless vacuums to make your cleaning routine even easier.
Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
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