Supreme Court fights for citizenship and NASA’s moon mission to begin: Morning Rundown

In today’s newspaper: The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the fight for birthright citizenship. NASA will launch four astronauts into space for a 10-day lunar mission. Also no punishment for the crew of the Army helicopter that flew near Kid Rock’s house.

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Here’s what you need to know today.

The Supreme Court is reviewing Trump’s attempt to curtail citizenship

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on one of the biggest issues of President Donald Trump’s second term: birthright citizenship.

The Trump administration’s order, which seeks to limit birthright citizenship to people with at least one parent who is a US citizen or permanent resident, was immediately blocked by the courts and has not yet taken effect.

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This order upholds the common understanding of the citizenship clause in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which states: “All persons born or born within the territory of the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”

Trump said so plans to attend oral interviews personally, a rare move that comes weeks after his attack on judges over their ruling against his charges.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in court papers that the citizenship clause was intended to apply primarily to children of freed slaves and cited an 1884 Supreme Court case explaining why Native Americans did not have birthrights at the time.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is leading the challenge to the administration, argues that the text of the 14th Amendment is mostly self-explanatory. Lawyers for this group also point to a Supreme Court ruling in 1898 that ruled that a man born in San Francisco to parents who were both from China was a US citizen.

Read more to know why many legal experts say the president faces an uphill battle in court.

More political news:

• The Supreme Court struck down Colorado’s ban on talk therapy aimed at LGBTQ youth it violates the rights of free speech of a conservative Christian doctor.

• A federal judge issued the order to temporarily stop construction of the new White House complex and the demolition of the East Wing.

• Trump signed the executive order intends to establish federal electoral rollsthat move will certainly be challenged in court.

• The University of Pennsylvania must comply with a subpoena from the Trump administration looking for a list of Jewish workersa federal judge ruled.

• Trump was met with a mixture of cheers and boos while attending the opening night of “Chicago” at the Kennedy Center before it closed two years ago.

Reading on Artemis II: NASA is ready to launch the moon

We’re just hours away from our first lunar mission in more than 50 years. Four astronauts will take off from the Kennedy Space Center at 6:24 pm ET for a 10-day journey that will take them around the Earth and the moon.

Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen will be the first people aboard NASA’S Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule. They won’t land on the moon, but the mission is designed as a stepping stone to land in 2028, hoping to establish a long-term presence on the moon. Learn more about the four astronauts here.

Harrison Schmitt, who left his shoes on the lunar surface in 1972 as part of Apollo 17, offered advice for the Artemis II crew: “Make sure you’re prepared for anything unexpected, but have a good time. Schmitt, now 90 years old, shared many thoughts in an interview with NBC News. Read more here.

The crew will test Orion’s life support equipment and see how the capsule protects against space radiation and other emergencies. Assuming that the launch is successful, the astronauts are scheduled to orbit the moon on Monday, and they could travel farther from Earth than humans have ever been before, surpassing Apollo 13’s record of 248,655 kilometers set in 1970. The capsule is expected to explode in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on April 10.

Here’s what you need to know about the mission. And later today, visit NBCNews.com to watch the start wave.

Trump to speak to the public about the “necessity” of the Iran war

President Trump will address the nation tonight about the war with Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. His remarks are scheduled for 9pm ET.

The president’s remarks come a day after the average price of a gallon of gasoline hit $4 for the first time since mid-2022. Meanwhile, JetBlue is raising baggage feesand United Airlines passenger costs have already increased in anticipation of a looming jet fuel shortage.

But as Americans shoulder the costs of the war — as well as the continued shutdown of DHS — Congress left Washington for a two-week recess. Sen. Republican Lindsey Graham, who urged Trump to start a war with Iran, was spotted at Disney World a few days ago. Rep. Robert Garcia was photographed at a Las Vegas casino over the weekend. Trump himself has spent time on the golf course despite criticizing President Barack Obama’s love of the game.

Yesterday, in a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump said that “we are doing well” and that the conflict in Iran is “coming to an end.” Later, he told reporters that he expects the US to leave Iran within two or three weeks.

Where the US stands as the war continues into its second month.

Follow our war news.

No investigation after Army helicopters fly near Kid Rock’s home

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there will be no prosecution or investigation after two Army helicopters were flown over the Tennessee home of singer and Trump supporter Kid Rock over the weekend.

“No punishment. No investigation,” Hegseth wrote on X. “Go ahead, patriots.”

The military had suspended aircrew from Saturday’s incident, a US official said yesterday before Hegseth’s announcement.

The military identified the aircraft as AH-64 Apache helicopters operating in the Nashville area and said “appropriate action will be taken if a violation is found.”

What else should you know about the event?

Read all about it

• American journalist is kidnapped in Iraq are suspected Iranian-backed militias, according to US and Iraqi officials. She was later identified as Shelly Kittleson by one of the publications she worked for.
• The qualifying marathon for the World Cup is over while Iraq maintains the 48th and last place. Four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify after losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Tiger Woods said he was away from golf seeking treatment after his DUI arrest in Florida.

• The FDA has the green light for a drug for a rare disease called Hunter Syndrome. For families in the race to save their children’s lives, drugs it gives them new hope.

• The group that sued the company behind David’s Protein, alleging that the product labels misrepresented calorie and fat content, contained dismissed the case.

Employee Selection: After a person’s death after being denied insurance, another state deals with the first authorization

Last year, Eric Tennant was in a battle with his health insurance over doctor-recommended cancer care as he sought a non-invasive treatment that wouldn’t end the disease but would buy him more time and improve his quality of life. It wasn’t until reporters questioned the Public Employees Insurance Agency that the insurer reversed its denial and accepted the practice.

But it was too late. Within a week of the change, Tennant was hospitalized, and by midsummer, he was no longer considered a suitable candidate for the operation. Tennant died in September aged 58.

Stories like Tennant’s highlight the challenges patients and loved ones face when trying to get the treatment they need. But in his death there is a change that may hopefully help others in the future: This week, the governor of West Virginia signed a bill aimed at curbing the risk of insurance denials.

– Elizabeth Robinsonnewspaper editor

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Made Easy

Spring cleaning has been a priority for the NBC Select team lately. Our editors tested again twelve showers to find the most effective at removing soap scum and water stains. They also consulted experts to learn how to organize closets like fashionistas and around and the best cordless vacuums making your cleaning routine even easier.

Subscribe to The Selection newsletter for product reviews, expert shopping tips and check out the best deals and sales every week.

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