| | | | | The US Supreme Court, pictured Wednesday. Credit: Zach Gibson/Getty Images | | | What it Means That Kennedy Quit the Supremes: Trump to get a second Justice pick, and Roe v. Wade is at risk
So, Um, North Korea is Still Out Here Upgrading a Nuclear Facility: What happened?
Street Art Sighting: Activists unveil over-sized baby Trump balloon | | | What Washington is Talking About:
Justice Anthony Kennedy announced Wednesday that he will retire from the Supreme Court, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate "will vote to confirm Justice Kennedy's successor this fall," before the midterms. Dems are calling for Kennedy's replacement to be picked after the midterms, citing McConnell's decision to stall for more than a year Obama's pick to replace Antonin Scalia.
What America is Talking About:
The Supreme Court vacancy.
Poll of the Day:
Back in March 2016, a CNN-ORC poll asked respondents if the Senate was justified in voting against then-President Obama's pick to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland, to give whoever won the 2016 election the chance to pick Scalia's replacement. The poll found 37% of Americans said it would be justified and 58% said it would be unjustified. Repubs stalled anyway, giving Trump his first high court pick. | | Credit: CNN
Kennedy Quits the Supremes:
In a letter to President Trump Wednesday, Kennedy wrote that he would retire on July 31. | |
Kennedy, 81, was appointed by Ronald Reagan and confirmed in 1988. He replaced then-Justice Lewis Powell, who retired, and was Reagan's third pick, after his first two nominees failed to be confirmed. Kennedy was a swing vote, so his retirement has conservatives thrilled and liberals horrified that his replacement will give the Court a conservative majority.
He wrote the majority opinion in cases including United States v. Windsor in 2013, striking down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act, and Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
What Kennedy's Retirement Means:
Roe v. Wade is at risk, and the Court may allow more exemptions to laws protecting people based on sexual orientation. Our Joan Biskupic has a look at what could happen next on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage and affirmative action now that the Court is losing its swing vote.
Trump-Putin Summit Set for Finland:
The White House announced this morning that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet July 16 in Helsinki, Finland, for a bilateral meeting on US-Russia relations and "a range of national security issues." Trump sided with Putin this morning in a tweet, first saying Putin denied US intelligence claims that Russia meddled in our election, and then falsely suggesting that Russia meddled to help Hillary Clinton. 🤔
So, Um, North Korea is Still Out Here Upgrading a Nuclear Facility:
Satellite images on June 21 from the North Korea monitoring group 38 North show North Korea is continuing to upgrade its Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center. Who remembers when Trump claimed just two weeks ago that North Korea no longer posed a nuclear threat? 🙋♂️ | | Satellite images of North Korea's Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center. Credit: 38 North
White House Taps Former Fox Exec for Comms Job:
Former Fox News co-president Bill Shine has accepted an offer to serve as deputy chief of staff in charge of communications, CNN has learned. Shine is a former "Hannity & Colmes" producer and a source told CNN Hannity pushed "big time" for Shine to get a White House job. Shine left Fox News following criticism of his handling of sexual harassment claims at the company. He himself has not been accused of sexual harassment.
The MyPillow Guy Went to Trump's Rally:
Mike Lindell posted a photo from Trump's rally yesterday in Fargo, North Dakota. | | Credit: @realMikeLindell/Twitter
Marla Maples Went to U2's Show:
Maples posted photos and video from U2's Experience + Innocence Tour -- which, btw, includes art from Edel Rodriguez projected onto the screen that's critical of her ex-husband's administration (like "Resist" on a stop sign, and "Refugees Welcome"). The show was last night in New York City, and she met the Edge. | | Credit: @itsmarlamaples/Instagram
Street Art Sighting:
Ahead of Trump's visit to the UK in two weeks, activists inflated a giant baby Trump balloon they plan to fly when he gets there. The balloon is nearly 20 feet tall. | | Credit: Andrew Aitchison/In pictures via Getty Images
Leo Murray, the activist who came up with the idea for the balloon, told Time the balloon represented how the world sees Trump. "This is not a protest against America or Americans," he said. "This is a protest against what Donald Trump is turning America into." | | Credit: Andrew Aitchison/In pictures via Getty Images
If you spot political street art, tweet me @hunterschwarz, tag me on Instagram @hunterschwarz, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com with your sighting so I can feature it in COVER/LINE.
P.S.:
In case you wondered where Kanye got all the songs he sampled on his recent albums, they largely came from two reissue labels. | | | | | | |
