Democracy’s fate depends on Clarence Thomas

Plus, MSNBC anchors share their top political moments of 2023 [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Sunday, December 24, 2023 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [Alternate text] On Tuesday, the Colorado Supreme Court issued a [historic]( and [explosive]( ruling disqualifying Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s 2024 primary ballot. In a case [brought by Republicans](, the court [ruled]( the ex-president is [ineligible for office]( for violating Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding elected office. The case is [all but guaranteed]( to reach [the Supreme Court]( and could serve as a [model for other states]( contemplating disqualification. [Trump's legal team]( has said it will wait until after Christmas to [appeal the decision](, according to [NBC News](. Just days later, a [bombshell new report]( from The Detroit News revealed then-President Donald Trump can be heard on [multiple audio recordings]( pressuring two Michigan officials not to certify Biden's 2020 win there. The new evidence [raises the possibility]( of [new state and federal charges]( against Trump. On Friday, the Supreme Court [rejected]( special counsel Jack Smith’s request to [fast-track arguments]( on whether Trump has immunity from federal prosecution, [complicating]( Smith’s hope for a speedy trial. On Thursday, the U.S. [reached a deal]( with Venezuela to release an ally of President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for 10 jailed Americans. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani [declared bankruptcy]( in New York one day after a judge ordered him to [immediately start paying]( the nearly [$150 million in damages]( he owes to former election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss over defamatory claims about the 2020 presidential election. Freeman and Moss have also filed [a second lawsuit]( against Giuliani to bar him from repeating those claims. Missed something? Don't worry. Here are our select columns and videos from the week. And don't forget to check out [MSNBC.com]( for more.   EDITOR'S PICKS [Alternate text] [NORMAN EISEN, JOSHUA KOLB]( [The case for Clarence Thomas’ recusal is clearer than ever]( The stakes of the Supreme Court's upcoming Trump rulings couldn't be higher. Clarence Thomas should be nowhere near it. [Read more.]( JORDAN RUBIN [The Colorado ruling disqualifying Trump is already having an impact]( Colorado's decision disqualifying Trump from the primary pushed back Maine's decision on the subject. It can serve as a model for other states. [Read more.]( [ZEESHAN ALEEM]( [Nikki Haley is getting remarkably close to Trump in New Hampshire]( Nikki Haley is the closest thing to a real challenge to Trump. She still needs a miracle. [Read more.]( [STEVE BENEN]( [Texas AG Ken Paxton attracts yet another scandal with Seattle hospital lawsuit]( Paxton is being sued for seeking out-of-state medical records about gender-affirming care Texas youths may have received across state lines. [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [Wisconsin conservatives seethe as rigged legislative maps get the ax]( Wisconsin's Supreme Court has ordered new legislative maps ahead of the 2024 election, ruling the current GOP-drawn lines are unconstitutional. [Read more.]( [HANNAH OBLAK]( [Pope Francis takes historic step for same-sex couples]( In a historic step for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is officially allowing priests to bless same-sex couples. [Read more.]( [MSNBC]( [MSNBC Anchors share their Top Political Moments of 2023]( 2023 was one of the wildest years in politics in recent memory. As we close out the year, some of your favorite MSNBC anchors look back at their Top Political Moments of 2023. [ALEX WITT REPORTS]( [‘This was not a surprise’: MI Sec. of State reacts to audio of Trump meddling in Michigan election]( Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke with MSNBC's Alex Witt about the newly-discovered recording of Donald Trump. ALI VELSHI ‘Unchartered territory’: What happens after Trump appeals Colorado Supreme Court ruling Noah Bookbinder and Barbara McQuade join Ali Velshi to discuss what happens next in the wake of the Colorado Supreme Court’s historic ruling to disqualify Trump from the state’s 2024 primary ballot. [POLITICSNATION]( [New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's huge step towards reparative justice]( New York Governor Kathy Hochul joins Rev. Al Sharpton to discuss about her recent signing of a new bill that would establish a commission to consider slavery reparations.     MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text] Tomorrow, MSNBC presents a holiday marathon. The lineup includes encore presentations of “Split Screen” and “Martha’s Vineyard v. DeSantis” from “The Turning Point” documentary series, as well as the special live episode of “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast” with Rachel Maddow. Watch the MSNBC Christmas Marathon, tomorrow beginning at 4pm Eastern. MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.]( [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)