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It’s Monday. I can’t even tell you how many emails I got over the weekend letting me know that I misspelled “stares” as “stairs” when I wrote “stairs blankly” in Friday’s edition. 😅 You know, maybe those stairs were blank! Anyway, I appreciate all of you. Here’s what’s happening today:
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The federal gun trial against Hunter Biden begins today. First lady Jill Biden is in the courtroom.
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Former President Trump has been very vocal about his guilty ruling. For example, he called on the Supreme Court to help him and said the trial has been “very hard” on his wife.
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Travis Kelce had a great reaction when President Biden called him to the podium. Keep scrolling for the clip.
- Anthony Fauci is testifying on Capitol Hill today for the first time in nearly two years. It is expected to be, well, fiery.
I’m Cate Martel 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.
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Immediately moving from one trial to the next:
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The federal gun trial against President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has begun today in Wilmington, Del.
Specifically, what’s happening today?: Jury selection
Will President Biden attend?: Probably not. He and the White House have tried to keep some distance from the legal proceedings. He did release a statement this morning, saying how much he loves his son. Read Biden’s statement
But look who it is: First lady Jill Biden arrived at the courthouse this morning. The Bidens had spent Sunday night in Delaware. 📸 Here’s a photo of the first lady this morning. And 📹 here’s a video of her walking in.
^ By the way: Today is her 73rd birthday. What a way to celebrate it …
💡 Back-story on the case: Hunter Biden is accused of lying on a federal form regarding his drug use when purchasing a .38-caliber Colt Cobra Special gun in 2018. He allegedly wrote that he was not a drug user, but at the time was addicted to cocaine. (NewsNation)
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How has Trump taken the guilty verdict, you ask?:
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Very vocally. Former President Trump has been firing off criticism and a warning since 12 New Yorkers found him guilty on all 34 felony counts in the hush money case. Here are some examples:
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Trump called on the Supreme Court to step in: And complained that his sentencing will happen four days before the start of the Republican National Convention.
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He said it’s been tough on Melania: Trump said the trial and conviction have been “very hard” on his wife, former first lady Melania Trump. Read the full quote
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And he speculated what would happen if he’s sentenced to jail time: On Sunday, Trump warned that the public will reach a “breaking point” if he is sentenced to jail time or house arrest.
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As it turns out, *this* is what is unifying the Republican Party:
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Some longtime Trump critics have actually come to former President Trump’s defense following his guilty verdict.
Like?: Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). McConnell and Trump have had beef for a long time, so this was particularly interesting. Even Trump’s primary rival Nikki Haley said she would vote for Trump over Biden. (Though she has been quiet since the conviction.)
Yep, this is exactly the reason: “Senate Republicans in particular recognize their hopes of winning back the majority are riding on Trump’s performance in battleground states. This leaves them little choice but to close ranks as Trump faces a possible jail term when he is scheduled to be sentenced shortly before the GOP nominating convention in mid-July.”
Read more: ‘Trump verdict brings GOP skeptics into the fold’
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➤ MORE READS ON TRUMP’S CONVICTION:
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‘Looming over Trump’s conviction: Reversal by the “13th juror”’: Politico
‘Trump Has Few Ways to Overturn His Conviction as a New York Felon’: The New York Times
‘What was Trump convicted of? Details on the 34 counts and his guilty verdict’: CBS News
‘Post-conviction polls offer hints about impact on the 2024 race’: MSNBC
‘Trump highlights [Hungary Prime Minister] Viktor Orbán’s support following hush money conviction’: The Hill
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Uncle Tony! It’s been a while!:
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Congratulations, MRS. president!:
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Climate scientist and former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum was elected as Mexico’s first-ever female president.
Another historic aspect: Sheinbaum has also become the first Jewish person selected as the president of Mexico, which is a predominantly Catholic country.
What to know about her election: “Sheinbaum, a leftist, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of Mexico’s current president and her mentor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador … [who has] has completely reshaped Mexican politics. During his tenure, millions of Mexicans were lifted out of poverty and the minimum wage doubled. But he has also been a deeply polarizing president, criticized for failing to control rampant cartel violence, for hobbling the nation’s health system and for persistently undercutting democratic institutions.” (The New York Times)
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🍳 Celebrate: Today is National Egg Day!
🌭🥤 I love that this was our second-most-read story this morning: Costco’s new CFO told investors that he will not change the price of the $1.50 hot-dog-and-soda combo. This has remained unchanged since the 1980s(!) (The Hill)
🎨 This kid is going places: A 2-year-old boy’s paintings have been selling for roughly $7,000 each, according to People. 📸 Photos of the paintings
👏 Well played, Travis: The Kansas City Chiefs visited the White House on Friday to celebrate their Super Bowl victory. Well, President Biden invited Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, (yes, that’s his title. Don’t @ me), to the podium. Kelce joked that security would use a Taser on him if he made a speech. 📹 Watch the clip
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If Biden ever invites me to the podium to make an impromptu speech, I’m going to remember this tactic, Trav. 😉
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The House and Senate are in. President Biden is in Delaware, and Vice President Harris is in Los Angeles. (all times Eastern)
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Today: Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testifies on Capitol Hill. 💻 C-SPAN livestream
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4:55 p.m.: Biden leaves Delaware and flies to White Plains, N.Y.
- 5:25 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One. 💻 Livestream
- 5:30 p.m.: The Senate votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
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6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
- 7 p.m.: Biden participates in a campaign reception in Greenwich, Conn.
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9:30 p.m.: Biden returns to Washington.
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