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HOLD THE DOOR

THE STORY

Yesterday, President Trump lost an appeal to put his travel ban back in place.

10 SECONDS. REMIND ME.

Last month, Trump signed an executive order that temporarily bans all refugees and people from seven mostly-Muslim countries from entering the US. Washington state sued the White House, arguing the ban is unconstitutional. A federal judge said ‘word’ and lifted the ban across the country. The Justice Department appealed to immediately put the ban back in place. The appeals court said ‘nope, but let’s talk about it.’ So earlier this week, the court, the state, and the DOJ hotline blinged each other to hash it out.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

The court ruled that the ban should stay benched while the court system decides whether it’s constitutional. Meaning, refugees and people from those seven countries can still enter the US.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?

Trump and his supporters say the president has the authority to decide who comes and goes based on national security concerns. Critics say this is called checks and balances, and it’s unprecedented for a president to challenge the judiciary branch’s legitimacy like Trump has. In response to the ruling, Trump tweeted “SEE YOU IN COURT”…so, safe to say he’ll appeal. Meaning America’s new Attorney General Jeff Sessions just got his first big assignment.

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Many think this could go to the Supreme Court right away. And the Supremes still have that empty seat on the bench, meaning they could be deadlocked on a decision. That could push the ban back down to the appeals court. So this may be one long game of political chutes and legal ladders.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR BOSS TURNS DOWN ALL OF YOUR IDEAS FROM A TEAM BRAINSTORM…

Denied. Yesterday, Kenya’s highest court rejected a government plan to close a refugee camp in the country. The camp is the largest one in the world, and is home to more than 250,000 people. A lot of the refugees fled from nearby Somalia after a civil war broke out back in the 90s, and they’ve been there ever since. But the Kenyan gov says the camp’s turned into home base for an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group called Al-Shabaab. So last year, they told the refugees they had to pack up and leave. Human rights groups filed a petition against the decision. And now Kenya’s top court is saying that shutting down the camp violates the country’s constitution because it would discriminate against the Somali refugees. The gov says it will appeal. But for now, the refugees can stay put.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU AND YOUR CO-WORKER HAVEN’T BEEN GETTING ALONG LATELY…

Let’s patch things up. Last night, President Trump had a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This comes as the US’s relationship with China - one of its biggest allies - has been a bit tense lately. After the election, Trump took a call with the president of Taiwan, something a US prez hasn’t done for decades. That’s because China and Taiwan have been fighting for years. And back in the late 70s, the US agreed to only have diplomatic relations with China. Since that call, Trump’s also made several comments suggesting he might not be on board with that policy. No, none of this has been going over well with China. Then last night, Trump told Jinping he’ll honor the policy after all. Diplomatic whiplash.

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOUR YOUNGER SIBLING CALLS TO SAY HI FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE...

What are you up to? Congress’ little brother has been getting down to business. In recent days, the GOP-led House of Representatives has said ‘aye’ to undoing several Obama-era policies. Last week, they voted to scrap a rule that required more extensive background checks on mentally ill people trying to buy a gun. Critics said the rule was too broad and would’ve violates people’s Second Amendment rights. The Senate still has to weigh in. The House also voted - and the Senate agreed - to get rid of a rule that prevented coal mining debris from being dumped into streams. That one’s headed to President Trump’s desk. And earlier this week, a House committee said it’s time to say ‘see ya’ to an independent election agency that helps states improve their voting systems. The agency’s supporters say it helps protect against election fraud and hacking. But the committee says it’s a waste of government money. One person who’s moving on from the House though? Rep. Tom Price (R-GA). Overnight, he was green-lighted as the new secretary of the Dept of Health and Human Services. Busy, busy.

WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR FRIEND WHO SAYS “ER” GEORGE CLOONEY IS HER FAVORITE...

Dr. Ross is about to deliver twins.

SKIMM READS

“All the Missing Girls” by Megan Miranda

Imagine you’re 18 and your best friend goes missing. A decade later, so does your ex’s new girlfriend. And no one knows what happened to either of them. This thriller’s all of your fav page-turners (think: “Luckiest Girl Alive,” “The Girl on the Train,” “Gone Girl) rolled into one. Buy here.

SKIMM LIFE

Skimm HQ is seeing red. As in there are red candies all over the office…because V-Day. Whether you have a SO or are in a relationship with your duvet, tis the season to treat yo self. No judgment. Pssst…a new bra is better than chocolate.

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