Excuse me, are you Aaron Burr, sir?

Skimm’d while learning about the chronic absenteeism crisis — Check out what we Skimm’d for you today December 20, 2023 [Subscribe]( [Read in browser]( [theSkimm Logo] Daily Skimm [Together with]( [Whirlpool Logo]( Skimm’d while [learning about the chronic absenteeism crisis]( [Update location]( or [View forecast]( [Teal Quotes] “Peaches N' Honies” — [One of the new flavors]( in Snoop Dogg’s THC and CBD beverage line. We hear peaches and eggplants make a good combo, too. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Snoop Dogg’s taking people higher with drinks #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) Top Story [Former President Donald Trump] Colorado The Story Former President Trump is [barred]( from running in Colorado’s presidential primary. Walk me through it. Yesterday, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Trump violated [part of the 14th Amendment]( — specifically, the part that disqualifies insurrectionists from holding office. How did the court reach that conclusion? It had to agree on a few things. That includes whether the [January 6, 2021]( Capitol attack counts as an insurrection and whether Trump’s [actions]( mean he had engaged in insurrection. The court also had to rule that it has the authority to enforce this part of the 14th Amendment, and that this rule applies to the presidency, not just other offices listed in the Constitution. That’s what the court ruled? Yes, with the justices ruling 4-3 to disqualify Trump. The Colorado Supreme Court affirmed a [lower court ruling]( on the first points but also ruled that this applies to the presidency. As the majority opinion put it, “We do not reach these conclusions lightly. We are mindful of the magnitude and weight of the questions now before us. We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach.” What did the three other justices say? One said the state doesn't have the authority to issue such a ruling. The dissenting justices added that it would've required a conviction that Trump was an insurrectionist, with one justice saying, “Even if we are convinced that a candidate committed horrible acts in the past — dare I say, engaged in insurrection — there must be procedural due process before we can declare that individual disqualified from holding public office.” This is a big deal, isn’t it? It is. Never before in US history has the so-called “[insurrection clause](” been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. What happens now? Trump’s campaign plans to [appeal]( to the US Supreme Court. A spokesperson criticized what it dismissed as an “all-Democrat appointed” court and accused it of operating “on behalf of Crooked Joe Biden by removing President Trump’s name from the ballot and eliminating the rights of Colorado voters to vote for the candidate of their choice.” The court was appointed by Democrats? It was. The seven-member court was appointed by Democratic governors, ruling 4-3. Next up: SCOTUS needs to decide whether it'll take up the case. Six of the nine [SCOTUS members]( were appointed by Republicans, including three by Trump. Colorado says the case needs to be resolved by Jan 5. Why January 5? That’s the deadline for Colorado to print its March primary ballots. Does Colorado make a difference in the primary? Not necessarily. Trump lost the state in 2020 but similar lawsuits are moving through other states. That includes in [Michigan](, where the issue is now before the state’s Supreme Court. theSkimm Yesterday’s ruling is unprecedented. It comes as trust in the US government and its institutions is believed to be near [record lows]( — and about one month before the [Iowa caucuses]( and [New Hampshire]( primaries. If there’s one thing it seems a polarized US can agree on, it’s this: US democracy seems to be [under threat](. Related Stories: - [Congress Popped Off After Colorado’s Decision on Trump]( - [Trump Said Immigrants Are “Poisoning the Blood of Our Country.” Now, He's Doubling Down]( - [The Three Obstacles Trump Faces Ahead of 2024]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Trump is off of Colorado’s primary ballot (for now) #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) And Also...This What world leaders are monitoring… [The Red Sea](. Earlier this week, the Pentagon announced a new effort to protect and defend ships in the Red Sea. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Yemen’s Houthis — an Iranian-backed rebel group — have attacked commercial and merchant ships in the area to stop them from reaching Israel. There have been at least 100 attacks, with Houthis claiming they’ve [seized one ship](. Now, the US and nine other countries — including France, the UK, and Italy — are part of an operation to stop the attacks. It comes after [major shipping companies]( said they’re avoiding the Red Sea, raising concerns about global supply chains. [Oil giant BP]( said it’s doing the same, which has already pushed [oil prices up](. The Houthis reportedly said they won't stop their attacks so long as the war continues. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s looking to make amends… [New York](. Yesterday, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) signed a bill creating a task force to consider reparations for descendants of enslaved people. New York’s nine-member task force, appointed by the governor and State Legislature, will study the history of slavery and its effects on housing discrimination, biased policing, income inequality, and the mass incarceration of Black Americans. The task force will create a report with its findings and recommendations for reparations. Then, it’s up to state lawmakers to pass legislation to enact any recommendations. It comes after California became the first state in 2021 to create a reparations task force — with its [report]( released in June. --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s the latest talker on the abortion debate… [Roads](. Yesterday, a city council in Amarillo, Texas, met to debate a proposal on “abortion trafficking.” If it passes, people would be banned from using Amarillo’s roads to go to other states to get an abortion. How would it enforce this? Through private lawsuits, according to the ordinance's supporters. A [growing number]( of Texas localities are taking this route, as women flee to neighboring states where abortion is legal. Critics say the measure could pit neighbors [against each other](. --------------------------------------------------------------- What had its 0's and 1's hacked... [Xfinity](. Earlier this week, Comcast confirmed hackers accessed the sensitive information of nearly 36 million customers — including partial Social Security numbers, birth dates, and passwords. The company is urging Xfinity customers to reset their usernames and passwords, and set up two-factor authentication. --------------------------------------------------------------- What got a makeover… [Minnesota’s state flag](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Why managers could be getting transfer requests… [This list](. --------------------------------------------------------------- While [NASA]( is taking inspiration from nyan cat… [Travis Kelce]( might not be a fan of Taylor Swift’s cats. [Facebook]([Twitter]([Email](mailto:?body=Texas officials are taking the abortion battle on the road. New York is creating a task force to look at reparations. And Travis Kelce isn’t a cat guy #theSkimm%0A3Ftype%3Demailurl%26r%3DSKIMM%26utm_source%3Demail%26utm_medium%3Ddsshare%23custom) theskimm beta We're building a tool to help you cross off the to-dos keeping you up at night. Meet [theSkimm Beta](, a space where you can learn how to [manage your debt]( and [get more pleasure](. Check it out. Thing to Know [Sponsored by]([Apple card logo]( [Apple Card Gif]( $936.3 billion How much dough Americans dropped during peak holiday spending time last year, [according to National Retail Federation estimates](. We’ll give you a second to pick your jaw up off the floor. Now imagine all Americans earned up to 3% cash back on their spending. That’d be up to $28 billion in their collective pockets. So before you make any (more) holiday purchases this year, keep in mind: You can earn up to 3% Daily Cash back on every purchase with Apple Card. That’s up to 3% [real cash]( back on every gift, grocery haul, and holiday outfit you buy — which can grow at [4.15% APY]( when you open a high-yield Savings account with Apple Card.††Terms apply. Savings provided by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. Member FDIC. Skimm Picks Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life… 1. How to ask Congress to protect your points. This year, two senators proposed legislation that could impact credit card fees, cash back and travel rewards programs, and shopper security. If you don’t like that, [The Points Guy]( can help you take action.* [Learn more]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. How to make mental health a priority without leaving home. [This service]( helps you meet your therapy match from the comfort of…basically anywhere. So you can talk to someone wherever the holiday season takes you. Plus, Skimm’rs get 25% off their first month.* [Take the questionnaire]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Our favorite Amazon products, all in one place. Did you know we have an Amazon storefront? We do, and [it's glorious](. Ideal for [last-minute gift shopping](, picking up our [book recs](, and so much more. [Check it out]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. A $44 shoulder bag that'll impress your designer-loving friend. Prada, who? This [mini nylon shoulder bag]( is lightweight, fits a ton, and will go with any of their grid-worthy outfits. PS: We've got more stylish gift ideas for your coolest friends [here](. [Get it]( Psst…love our recs? Follow [@skimmshopping]( on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag). Skimm'rs We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community. Helping young minds…Molly H (IL). She’s a public teacher who leads a Model UN program for middle school students in Chicago. She’s [raising money]( to help pay for the students’ travel to New York City for the world’s largest Model UN conference. (Some) Birthdays…Alexis Teixeira (CT), Kathryn McKinley (TN), Cathy Trapani (NJ), Courtney Price (TX), Caroline Steadman (VA), Lexi Tichenor (WI), Geralyn Kowalski (DE), Katy Schawe (TX), Jessa Lux (MN), Jenny Mobley (IA), Elena Villa (GA), Andrea Shelton (LA), Chris Cantwell (IL), Allie Voigt (MN) PS: Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out [here]( for a chance to be featured. Skimm'd by: Rashaan Ayesh, Chantal Vaca, Maria del Carmen Corpus, and Julie Shain --------------------------------------------------------------- Photos by Scott Olson via Getty Images, Brand Partners Design by theSkimm --------------------------------------------------------------- *PS: This is a sponsored post. Want to wake up with us every morning? 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