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U.S. NEWS

Immune*

The Supreme Court delivered a win to former President Trump on Monday, ruling presidents have broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts even after leaving office.

In a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, the majority created a framework for prosecuting presidents by dividing presidential actions into three buckets:

1. Core constitutional acts (complete immunity)

2. Official acts (“presumptive immunity”) 

3. Unofficial private acts (no immunity)

The Supremes then kicked Trump’s case back to a lower court to decide which acts were official (another delay).

Dissenting justices argued the ruling creates “a king above the law,” and President Biden said it “undermines the rule of this nation.” Former President Trump called it a “big win for our constitution.”

Trump’s lawyers argue the ruling voids evidence presented in his NY hush money trial, requesting his conviction be overturned. Sentencing was delayed until September 18th, while the judge considers.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Political and legal drama will compete for our attention in the coming months, potentially stealing our Kingdom focus and dulling our hope. Government may change, but our mission remains the same: love God and love others. 

“Jesus answered, ‘The most important [commandment] is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.’” 
Mark 12:29-31 (CSB) (read full passage)

POLITICS

Staying the Course

President Biden isn’t passing the baton quite yet.

After his much-maligned debate performance, Democrats have openly wondered if #46 should remain their nominee. While he technically could be replaced on November’s ballot, the most viable path would require Biden to step aside voluntarily, which seems increasingly unlikely.

The President used a previously planned trip to Camp David in Maryland to rendezvous with his wife, children, and grandchildren, who encouraged him to stay in the race. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is behind him too, reportedly mulling over nominating Biden formally later this month (a month earlier than expected) in part to squash talks of replacing him and unify the party. 

While party leaders rallied around the president, yesterday Rep. Doggett (D-TX) became the first congressional Democrat to publicly call for Biden’s withdrawal.

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Verse to consider when discussing politics ahead of the election… “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” 
Colossians 4:6 (CSB) (read full passage)

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SPORTS

Coming Soon

BUM—BUM—ba-ba-ba-BAH-BAH.

The Olympic Anthem will sound again soon. On July 26th, delegations from nearly every country will parade down the river Seine, winding their way through the center of Paris in an unconventional stadiumless, athlete-focused opening ceremony. 

Team USA’s boat will include 16-year-old Hezly Rivera—the youngest athlete on the team—who qualified in women’s gymnastics alongside veterans Simone Biles and Sunni Lee. She’s only a few months younger than 16-year-old sprinter Quincy Wilson, the youngest man ever to represent Team USA in track.

The Paris Games will feature 10,500 athletes competing in 32 sports, including the Olympic debut of breaking (aka breakdancing) and the second Olympic installment of both skateboarding and surfing (held in the French Polynesian island of Tahiti because Paris isn’t known for its gnarly waves).

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The Olympics are an opportunity to enjoy the thrill of watching athletes do what God created them to do. As you watch athletes compete, thank God that he also made you to do beautiful things, and pray that you’d bring him glory in all you do.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

In other SCOTUS news, the nine unanimously returned two social media cases to their respective lower courts in Texas and Florida for analysis—a temporary win for tech companies. And in yet another blow to federal agencies, the court ruled 6-3 in favor of a North Dakota truck stop that wanted to sue over a regulation on debit swipe fees.
 

Boeing plans to buy back its fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems in hopes the reunion will align incentives and stamp out quality and safety issues that have plagued both companies (e.g., the Spirit-manufactured panel blowing out of Boeing 737 in January). The purchase price landed at $4.7 billion in all stock and is expected to close mid-2025.
 

The owners of the world-champion Boston Celtics paid attention in Econ 101… they’re selling high. After purchasing the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million, they’re selling a majority stake in the team now worth ~$5 billion. They’re not the only lucky leprechaun; Celtics star Jayson Tatum just signed the largest contract in NBA history—a $314 million five-year extension.
 

At least 116 people died in a stampede in northern India yesterday after heat and overcrowding caused panic at a Hindu prayer meeting. Over in the Western Hemisphere, Hurricane Beryl was upgraded to Category 5 status (the earliest on record) after it struck Grenada with 160 mph winds, killing at least one. 
 

Redbox's future looks as bright as Blockbuster's headquarters. The movie vending machine's parent company, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday after accumulating nearly $1 billion of debt owed to over 500 creditors. Its stock is trading at $0.11, down 99.7% from its peak in June 2021.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Trampolining (way) above the clouds…

What We’re Drinking
MUD\WTR*

“I’m really trying to increase my daily caffeine,” said no one ever.

Of course, I <3 coffee—I work for The Pour Over… but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t considered some less jittery options. Enter MUD\WTR, a subtle but tasty mushroom coffee alternative.

Its hall-of-fame ingredient list—including masala chai, cacao, and adaptogenic mushrooms—promotes focus and natural energy, plus it supports a healthy gut and immune system.

The best part is that it has just a fraction of the caffeine of coffee and zero sneaky sweeteners, so your boost comes without a crash. Drink mud with me. Order today and get a free frother and $20 off the Morning Ritual Starter Kit!

Kathleen Wadkins | Head of Content

What We’re Reading
His Face Like Mine*

Wow. This book will shift your perspective on wounds, scars, and challenges. It’s remarkable.

Russell Joyce was born with a rare craniofacial disorder called Goldenhar syndrome, where the left side of his face was not formed. Years of patchwork surgeries made him more outwardly presentable, but not without deep pain and physical and emotional scars. 

During a season of starting a new church in Brooklyn, New York, he learned how the broken places of our lives can be transformed when Jesus meets us in the realities of our woundedness. God doesn't love us despite our wounds but through those very wounds. By his scars we are healed.

Intrigued? Buy your copy today.