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During arguments today at the Supreme Court, a majority of the justices appeared skeptical of President Trump's plan to end automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to undocumented immigrants and temporary foreign visitors.
Key conservative justices whose votes often swing major cases raised doubts that Trump's effort was constitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts, for example, described one of the president's core arguments as "very quirky." For generations, legal experts have agreed that the Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship.
When I chatted this afternoon with our chief legal affairs correspondent, Adam Liptak, he reminded me that Trump had entered the day widely expected to lose the case. After more than two hours of tough questioning on both sides, Adam said, it was less clear.
"A loss for Trump is still the more likely outcome," he told me. "But several of the key justices seemed to think the case presented closer questions than many observers had anticipated."
The ruling could also have sweeping practical consequences: A Trump victory would strip citizenship from an estimated 200,000 babies born in the U.S. each year. It would also redefine our understanding of what it means to be an American.
One bit of history: Trump attended today's argument, a first for a sitting president.
Watch the first crewed moon launch in more than 50 years
All four astronauts are in their seats. The giant rocket is filled with supercold propellants. And everything appears on track for NASA's first moon mission since 1972 to launch from Kennedy Space Center at 6:24 p.m. Eastern, or within the following two hours.
The mission, Artemis II, is a 10-day journey around the moon and back. The crew's path will begin with a couple trips around the Earth. The astronauts will not actually touch the lunar surface, but they are set to see the far side of the moon while it is illuminated. They are also expected to travel farther from Earth than a human ever has before.
What to know before liftoff:
- If the launch is postponed, NASA plans to try again in the coming days.
- The Artemis II crew includes the first Canadian to head to the moon, as well as the first Black person and the first woman.
- Our fashion critic explains why the astronauts are wearing orange.
Trump is set to address the nation about the Iran war
At 9 p.m. Eastern, the president is scheduled to deliver a speech about the Iran war that will be broadcast on the major networks (and also our site).
Trump has hinted at the possibility of winding down the U.S. war effort. He said yesterday that "we will be leaving very soon," and added today that he was no longer concerned about Iran's enriched uranium. But he also said today that there would be no cease-fire until the Strait of Hormuz reopened to commercial ships.
For more on the war:
- U.S. intelligence agencies recently assessed that Iran is not willing to engage in substantial negotiations to end the war. However, Iran's president released a letter today suggesting the possibility of diplomacy.
- Trump threatened to pull out of NATO.
- The U.S. military's decision to place troops in Middle East hotels may violate its own law of war, experts say.
- The war has driven up gas prices.
More top news
- Washington: House and Senate Republicans reached a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
- Business: SpaceX filed to go public, setting the stage for one of the largest public offerings ever.
- Health: The F.D.A. approved a new weight-loss pill, an alternative for patients who want to avoid injections.
- Greenland: The U.S. military is intensifying efforts to secure greater access to the island.
- South Dakota: In the town of Castlewood, many people are feeling bad for the husband of Kristi Noem, the former homeland security secretary after a tabloid photo leak. Our White House correspondent was there to take the pulse of the place.
- White House: Trump has argued that his planned ballroom is a matter of national security, in part because of a bunker being built underneath.
- Broadway: Megan Thee Stallion was rushed to a hospital while performing in "Moulin Rouge! The Musical." She was diagnosed with extreme exhaustion.
- South Africa: In Cape Town, 70 percent of downtown housing is for tourists.
TIME TO UNWIND
The next British invasion is here
Americans are no strangers to British musicians, from the Beatles to Adele. But for the first time in a couple decades, a new group of English artists are on the path to become a dominant force in pop music.
The group includes Raye, who broke through with the angsty TikTok hit "Escapism"; Olivia Dean, who won best new artist at the Grammys; PinkPantheress, the alt-pop producer; and Lola Young, the foul-mouthed hitmaker.
Everyone's a biohacker now
A few decades ago, biohacking was a fringe movement of young, wealthy tech bros who believed they could extend their lives by conducting experiments on their bodies. They used cryogenic chambers, infrared saunas and other gadgets.
Now, the movement has gone mainstream. People of all ages and backgrounds are measuring their vitals, adding seeds to their diets and taking various powdered supplements in hopes of improving their health.
Dinner table topics
- Much has changed: In 1976, at the ripe age of 14, Chris Espinosa became Apple's eighth employee. He never left.
- "A succulent Chinese meal": Australia enshrined a con man's rant into its national archive. Here's why.
- In our minds: The science writer Michael Pollan spent years studying consciousness. The more he learned, the weirder things got.
- Gotcha: Our puzzle editor recalled some of our crossword's best April Fools' tricks.
WHAT TO DO TONIGHT
- Bake this flourless carrot almond cake during Passover. It's moist, crunchy and a bit zesty.
- Start a short book and finish it by the weekend. "Room Temperature" is a good option.
- Listen to excerpts from Morton Feldman's quietly sensual yet profound works.
- Approach your garden with a birder's eye, not just a to-do list.
- Wear indoor shoes. Good ones help prevent long-term foot issues.
- Play: Here are today's Connections, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all our games here.
ONE LAST THING
This puppy could someday save your life
Readers, meet Baggs. She is a 5-month-old golden retriever who loves to frolic in the snow. Once the runt of the litter, Baggs is now learning how to ride chairlifts and zoom down mountains on the shoulders of skiers. It's part of her training to become an avalanche rescue dog in Jackson Hole, Wyo.
It's already clear that Baggs is confident, friendly and eager to sniff around. But over the next couple years, she will be put through a series of exercises to see if she can use her strong sense of smell to quickly locate humans buried across vast landscapes of snow. "There is no substitute for a well-trained dog and their sense of smell," a former ski patroller said.
Have a helpful evening.
Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow -- Matthew
Eli Cohen was our photo editor.