Today is Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Let's get caught up.
Keep scrolling for celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history. Plus, give our daily news podcast a listen:
Here's a preview of today's top stories:
- Trump defends controversial immigrant comments
- Pandemic gear stockpiles are expiring
- Elon Musk's labor battle across Scandinavia
- Hope for another hostage swap in Gaza
- Protests in Argentina
***
A closer look at Colorado’s historic ruling banning Trump from the ballot
The Colorado Supreme Court made history Tuesday with an unprecedented, ruling that former President Donald Trump is constitutionally ineligible to run in 2024 because the 14th Amendment’s ban on insurrectionists holding public office covers his conduct on Jan. 6, 2021.
People are also reading…
The 4-3 decision removes Trump from the Republican primary ballot in Colorado, which is scheduled for Super Tuesday in early March. However, the Colorado justices paused their ruling so Trump can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which could even preserve his spot on the state’s primary ballot if the appeal isn’t settled quickly.
In many ways, the landmark ruling holds Trump accountable for trying to overturn the 2020 election and provides a political punishment for his anti-democratic behavior. The ruling is also a massive vindication for the liberal groups and constitutional scholars of all stripes who championed such 14th Amendment lawsuits despite their long odds.
But Trump has mastered the art of converting legal setbacks into polling bounces. He’s already in a stronger position today to beat President Joe Biden than he was one year ago, before he was criminally indicted in four jurisdictions. And he and his GOP allies kicked into high gear Tuesday night, playing the victim card and railing against the ruling.
Here are the key takeaways from the decision and what comes next:
***
MORE TOP STORIES
Musk and Tesla are battling unions across Scandinavia
Tesla has found itself locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with union workers in Sweden and neighboring countries. The showdown pits the electric car maker's CEO Elon Musk, who’s staunchly anti-union, against the strongly held labor ideals of Scandinavian countries.
None of Tesla's workers anywhere in the world are unionized, raising questions about whether strikes could spread to other parts of Europe where employees commonly have collective bargaining rights — notably in Germany, Tesla's most important market.
Here are key things to know about the union fight:
***
States are trashing pandemic gear as huge, costly stockpiles linger and expire
When the coronavirus pandemic took hold in an unprepared U.S., states scrambled for masks and other protective gear.
Three years later, as the grips of the pandemic have loosened, many states are now trying to deal with an excess of protective gear, ditching their supplies in droves.
***
Hamas leader visits Cairo
Hamas’ top leader traveled to Cairo on Wednesday for talks on the war in Gaza, part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at securing another cease-fire and hostage swap at a moment when the militant group is putting up stiff resistance to Israel’s offensive.
***
Putin ratchets up military pressure on Ukraine
After blunting Ukraine’s counteroffensive from the summer, Russia is building up its resources for a new stage of the war over the winter, which could involve trying to extend its gains in the east and deal significant blows to the country's vital infrastructure.
Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be hoping that relentless military pressure, combined with changing Western political dynamics and a global focus on the Israeli-Hamas war, will drain support for Ukraine in the nearly 2-year-old war and force Kyiv to yield to Moscow’s demands.
***
Argentina's new president to face first protests
Just days after taking office, Argentine President Javier Milei's government announced drastic economic measures that angered some social and labor groups, and warned it would crack down on any protests blocking streets.
The right-wing populist on Wednesday will face the first test of how his administration responds to demonstrations after those groups called on people to turn out to protest the economic shock measures, which Milei has said are needed to address Argentina’s severe crisis.
***
MORNING LISTEN
This week's episode of the Late Edition: Crime Beat Chronicles podcast is an update of the 1990 Susan Negersmith case from Wildwood, New Jersey.
***
TRENDING TOPICS
***
TODAY IN HISTORY
On Dec. 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was completed as ownership of the territory was formally transferred from France to the United States.
In 2009, Ben Roethlisberger becomes the first Pittsburgh quarterback to throw for 500 yards in a game. See more sports moments from this date.
***
