Trump indicted

The indictment of Donald Trump by a Manhattan grand jury yesterday isn’t shocking, but it should sober us nevertheless—even those of us who believe it’s an appropriate step on the road to justice. A former president being charged with a crime marks a shameful historical first, and in the case of Trump, it could well lead to further instability and social unrest. This is no time for “I told you so’s,” but instead for continuing to wait patiently and peacefully for the wheels of justice to turn. For now, let’s take comfort in the fact that the rule of law still prevails, and in America, no one—not even a former president—is above it. —Melissa Amour, Managing Editor

• Judge sends Dominion’s $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News to trial —The Hill

• Probe of deadly Black Hawk crash underway in Kentucky —Associated Press

• Senate votes to repeal Iraq war authorizations 20 years after U.S. invasion —CBS News

• Federal judge strikes down Obamacare requirement for free preventive care —The New York Times

• CDC team studying health impacts of Ohio train derailment fell ill during investigation —CNN

• Justice Department sues Norfolk Southern over derailment —Associated Press

• Turkish parliament ratifies Finland's NATO accession as Sweden kept waiting —Reuters

• Taiwan calm in face of China raising tensions, President Tsai says in New York —Reuters

• Minneapolis approves police overhaul three years after George Floyd’s death —Forbes

• Arizona Democrats to sue No Labels to block third-party challenge —The Washington Post

Dun Dun

Expect some real-life law and order on Tuesday, as Donald Trump is arraigned in a New York City courtroom on 30 counts related to business fraud—including at least one felony. His unprecedented indictment by a grand jury yesterday was a first for a former president. The ex-president plans to fly from his home in Florida to New York on Monday before appearing in a specially secured Manhattan courthouse on Tuesday to face the still-sealed criminal charges. The Secret Service has toured the courthouse in preparation. Trump will likely be fingerprinted and photographed, and will have to make a plea, but reportedly there will be no handcuffs. —The Washington Post

• Outraged. Republicans have by and large come to Trump’s defense, calling the charges politically motivated. “I think the unprecedented indictment of a former president of the United States on a campaign finance issue is an outrage,” said former Vice President Mike Pence. Rep. Jim Jordan summarized the House Republicans’ response in a one-word tweet: “Outrageous.” And Florida governor and potential Trump presidential opponent Ron DeSantis vowed to refuse any extradition request due to “questionable circumstances.” —Fox News

• “Unlawful political interference.” New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has taken the brunt of GOP criticism, is urging House Republicans to withdraw a demand for information on its case against Trump. In a letter to the three House committee chairs, including Jordan, who are pressing for documents and testimony about Trump’s case, Leslie B. Dubeck, the general counsel for Bragg’s office, chastised them for choosing to “collaborate” with the ex-president. —The Washington Post

• A taboo has been broken. The ramifications of the indictment on American democracy remain to be seen. “Will it tear the country apart, as some feared about putting a former president on trial after Watergate? Will it be seen by many at home and abroad as victor’s justice akin to developing nations where former leaders are imprisoned by their successors? Or will it become a moment of reckoning, a sign that even someone who was once the most powerful person on the planet is not above the law?” writes Peter Baker. Good questions all. “Whether the indictment is warranted or not, it crosses a huge line in American politics and American legal history,” says Jack L. Goldsmith, a Harvard Law professor and former top Justice Department official under President George W. Bush. Indeed. Stay tuned. —The New York Times

MORE: Nicholas Kristof: I worry about a failed prosecution of Trump, but I worry more about no prosecution —The New York Times

‘Let him go’

President Biden urged Russia today to release Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested on espionage charges in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, this week. Russia’s Federal Security Service has accused Gershkovich, a U.S. citizen, of trying to obtain classified information. It is the first time an American journalist has been detained in Russia on accusations of spying since the Cold War. The Journal “vehemently denies the allegations from the FSB and seeks the immediate release of our trusted and dedicated reporter.” As the Biden Administration works to secure U.S. consular access to Gershkovich, officials are warning U.S. citizens not to travel to Russia, and for Americans in the country to depart immediately. —Associated Press

MORE: The Vulkan Files: Secret trove offers rare look into Russian cyberwar ambitions —The Washington Post

Ed Board: Enough is enough on gun violence

“We may not have the total answer right now, but we need our lawmakers to face the issue, debate solutions, and take meaningful action for the sake of the public’s safety. Citizens can become engaged by attending vigils and gatherings, talking to their neighbors, and making donations to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Covenant fund at https://www.cfmt.org/covenant, for example. We cannot simply forget what happened at Covenant and move on.” —The Tennessean

MORE: Nashville shooting: First funeral comes a day after police release 911 calls —CNN

This month’s read is: “Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty” by Aynne Kokas

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter and has been extorting users to pay for two-factor authentication, I have been thinking a lot about data privacy. As an older Millennial, I was fortunate to grow up without social media and have been spared from having my most cringeworthy baby photos shared far and wide across these platforms. However, as I watch my friends have kids and share gender-reveal photos, baby pictures, weekend family excursions, and other intimate life moments in between, I can’t help but think about the implications of sharing so much of our lives online.

Now I know what you’re thinking, but my social media pages are set to private, and I only share with friends and family I know in real life. I’m not worried about complete strangers viewing photos—well, at least not right now (I’ll save that for a Topline intro in the coming weeks)—but I am concerned about the platforms and companies who have built the online communities to which we belong. At least I was, until I picked up “Trafficking Data: How China Is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty” by Aynne Kokas. Now, I am looking at our digital dependence in a whole new way. Kokas explains how the information we provide not just through our social media posts but our scrolling habits are helping China and the United States to construct full-blown data sets of our communities that in turn have created a tug of war over data between the two super powers.

In “Trafficking Data,” the author shares how there is a battle for data between China and the U.S. that extends beyond online gaming, TikTok, Facebook, and other social media platforms. Data is being obtained from our agricultural fields to our grocery shopping habits, and the scariest part is how data privacy is not guaranteed for any of us. In 2016, Russia worked to overthrow our elections, and in 2023, China is working to infiltrate America by building composites of American life. And we, as Americans, are willingly handing over our data for a few hours on TikTok or the convenience of being able to control our appliances from our phone.

Initially when I picked up “Trafficking Data,” I was curious to learn more about data privacy online; by the end of it, I am now keenly aware of the lack of data privacy we have at all. Aynne Kokas’ book is an eye-opener, and as we continue to gravitate toward digital convenience, it’s more timely than ever. The truth is, WWIII will be fought on the digital battlefield, and it’s important that we understand the cost of technological advancement so we can make informed decisions on how we engage in the metaverse. —Mary Anna Mancuso, Political Strategist

Have you read this? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter @MaryAnnaMancuso

Want to purchase this book? Click here

Tom Nichols’ essay was powerful and quite insightful. I try to not think about November 2024, because we have enough to care for today. However, sadly the fate of our democracy may be in the hands of Fani Willis, Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith, and Merrick Garland. I want to ask all this guy’s devoted worshippers, “At long last, have you no shame?” —Dennis A., Texas

I am very disappointed with the Republicans that still support Donald Trump. I support Nikki Haley or Mike Pence. —Russell G., Arizona

Finally! Gloves off and straight talk about Trump, the would-be Emperor. —Anna K., Washington

The views expressed in "What's Your Take?" are submitted by readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff or the Renew America Foundation.