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─────── April 26, 2024 ───────

U.S. NEWS

Immunity

The Supreme Court heard arguments on the limits of presidential immunity yesterday.

Former President Trump’s team argued that presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution, even after leaving office, for all official acts. They warned that the threat of looming prosecution would “distort the president’s decision-making” when decisiveness is needed most. 

Justices seemed skeptical of this “absolute” immunity, questioning whether it would allow a president to order a military coup, accept bribes, or sell nuclear secrets. However, the conservative majority seemed to support limiting when former presidents might be prosecuted, a move which would send the case back to a lower court for analysis, potentially delaying Trump’s federal trial until after November’s election.

Multiple justices impressed the importance of getting the ruling right, not just for this case but for all future presidents. 

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
No matter what happens in this case or any political story, God will remain in control. In the midst of anything that comes your way, set your hope on the abundance we will enjoy with Christ when he comes.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB)

U.S. NEWS

Ban Incoming?

TikTok is on the clock.

On Wednesday, President Biden signed into law the bill giving ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, 270 days to sell the social media platform or face an outright ban in the States. The bill passed through Congress with bipartisan support. Lawmakers cited concerns the Chinese government could access user data or spread propaganda to TikTok’s 170 million American users.

TikTok — which has a strong record of using the First Amendment to fight similar bans — has vowed to take the issue to court. They have the loud support of many TikTok creators, who say their livelihoods are being threatened.

Biden’s pen was also busy signing a $95 billion foreign aid package on Wednesday, making aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan official after months of delays.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Our hope is never contingent on a legal or political outcome; it’s much more secure than that. Regardless of whether things get worse or better during your lifetime, everything eventually ends well for followers of Christ.

“The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath of all humanity.”
Job 12:10 (CSB)

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U.S. NEWS

Campus Commotion

Protests have erupted across more than two hundred university campuses.

Students are pitching tents, chanting, and marching in protest of the war in Gaza and universities’ Israel connections (background here), clashing with police along the way. More than 500 protestors have been arrested this week, Harvard locked down its “Harvard Yard,” and Cal State Poly Humboldt shut down its campus as students occupied a building.

House Speaker Johnson (R-LA) received a not-so-warm welcome at Columbia University, where the protests originated last week. He met with Jewish students, condemned the “mob rule” preventing lawful free expression, and appealed for executive action. 

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), whose daughter was arrested at Columbia, applauded students’ cause as “just and righteous and morally correct.”

Hamas also issued a statement, calling protests “useful and supportive activities for our cause.”

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
When life feels chaotic and even scary, turn in faith to the one who stills the sea. Our God can bring order, peace, and justice out of any mess. 

“[Jesus’] disciples came and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to die!’ He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!’”
Matthew 8:25-27 (CSB)

The U.S. economy isn’t looking as springy as economists had hoped. First-quarter GDP growth clocked in at a rate of 1.6%, the lowest in two years and well below expectations of 2.2%. Although low growth would usually raise hopes of an interest rate cut, stubbornly high inflation is leaking air out of that balloon. 

 
Mass graves containing over 300 bodies have been discovered near Gaza’s Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals following the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Gazan officials say graves contain people who died during the hospitals’ sieges, while Israel says it exhumed corpses while looking for hostages. The UN said some bodies “had their hands tied,” and an investigation is warranted.
 

An Arizona grand jury indicted 11 “fake electors” and 7 Trump aides on Wednesday. The Republicans were charged with fraud, forgery, and conspiracy for signing a certificate claiming then-president Trump won the state’s popular vote in 2020 even after state officials certified Biden’s victory. Arizona is the fourth state to bring such charges, which Republicans call “politically motivated.” 
 

Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned in New York’s Court of Appeals yesterday. The state’s highest court said the judge improperly allowed testimony against Weinstein based on allegations not involved in that particular case. Weinstein will remain imprisoned for his 2022 Los Angeles rape conviction while awaiting a new trial, where accusers could be asked to testify again.
 

Flight cancellations just got slightly less painful. A new rule from the Department of Transportation requires airlines to automatically refund travelers whose flights are canceled or “significantly changed” (defined as a 3+ hour delay for domestic flights and a 6+ hour delay for international flights). Transportation Secretary Buttigieg estimates the rule will save disgruntled travelers $500 million annually.

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What We’re Taking
This free online course on King David

The David Story: Shepherd, Father, King explores the lives of Israel’s first two kings —Saul and David (we’ll give you that answer for free— to discover what the Bible says about fatherhood, the nature of sin, and the consequences of sin.

 It’s a self-paced, seven-lecture, deep-dive into the books of First and Second Samuel that is perfect for anyone wanting to grow in their knowledge and appreciation of God’s word.

 Did we mention it’s free? Join thousands of others pursuing a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Who We’re Supporting
Christians in Northern Nigeria*

The persecution of Believers in northern Nigeria is being called a “silent genocide.” 

In 2021, there were 4,000 Christians martyred in Nigeria. In 2023, there were 8,000. That is a (very) bad trend… and we want to make sure our brothers and sisters know we haven’t abandoned them. Our mission partner, OneHope, is dedicated to reaching the next generation of Nigerians with the hope and encouragement of the gospel — bringing light to one of the darkest places.

We shouldn’t be “silent” about this genocide. 

Join us in letting persecuted Christians in Nigeria know that we hear them, love them, and haven’t forgotten them. Any support helps; we’re matching the first $5,000.