Why Trump's latest court appearance hits different

Plus, cancelled surgeries in Ontario and a welcome drop in Toronto gun violence [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Donald Trump’s court cases, cancelled surgeries in Ontario and gun violence data in Toronto. DON’T MISS Alex Brandon/AP Photo analysis [Why Donald Trump’s all-too-familiar court appearance felt different this time]( In the last four months, the former U.S. president has been arrested three times — and a fourth indictment is expected before the end of August. It’s no longer unusual to see Trump in court, but his latest appearance is different, Steve McKinley writes. This case, in which he pleaded not guilty to charges that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election, could signal an existential crisis for the U.S. and its vision of democracy. [Here’s why one scholar calls it “one of the most serious crises of American democracy since the Civil War.”]( - By the numbers: Polls show that about one-third of Americans erroneously believe that U.S. President Joe Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 election. - Go deeper: “This is a situation with perils on all sides,” one law and economics expert said. “Nobody is going to want to participate in elections that don’t count.” - Heather Mallick’s take: Trump has chosen everything off the crime menu. [Which trial will be served to him first?]( Barry Gray/Hamilton Spectator health care [A shortage of anesthesiologists is resulting in cancelled surgeries in Ontario]( Some hospitals are struggling to properly staff their operating rooms due to a shortage of anesthesiologists, leading to temporary closures of the ORs and cancelled surgeries, a new survey by the Ontario Medical Association has found. “We know there are pressures in rural and remote areas with anesthesia coverage. But more recently, we’re starting to hear in more urban areas,” said Dr. Rohit Kumar, chair of Ontario’s Anesthesiologists. Now, anesthesiologists are calling on the government to act, Megan Ogilvie reports. [Here’s how the shortage affects patients and health professionals](. - By the numbers: Most hospital chiefs of anesthesiology who responded to the survey — 84 per cent — reported needing more anesthesiologists to adequately staff their hospital’s operating rooms. - Context: Ontario is still working to clear a surgical backlog that worsened during the pandemic. As of Aug. 3, approximately 194,000 patients are on the surgical wait-list. - Why it matters: “When patients wait longer, their surgical problem is more advanced by the time we treat it, and surgery may actually take longer and recovery time may be prolonged,” said Dr. Monica Olsen, a former chair of Ontario’s Anesthesiologists. Canadian Press/Frank Gunn gun violence [Toronto is on track for its fewest shootings since 2015 ]( Seven months into 2023, Toronto police data indicates the number of people killed or injured by guns is near a decade low, Jennifer Pagliaro reports. Despite ongoing fears about gun violence — due to high-profile shootings, other violent incidents and a mayoral race that focused on crime — Toronto remains relatively safe, experts say. [Check out these graphs comparing the number of shootings over the years](. - More: When examining crime, University of Toronto sociologist Akwasi Owusu-Bempah said it’s important to consider other data, such as Statistics Canada’s crime severity index. The 2022 rate of 75.2 is lower than the national average and below other large metropolitan areas, such as Vancouver and Montreal. - Meanwhile: What police categorize as “major crime” — including assaults, robberies and auto theft — reached a 10-year-high in 2022. WHAT ELSE Arguing Doug Ford “is sitting on a surplus,” Toronto area Liberal MPs [say the province should be giving the city more money](. Alberta has announced a six-month pause on the renewable energy industry, citing rural concerns. [Here’s how industry spokespeople responded](. Perfect grades didn't get these TDSB students their top university choice. [This is their advice for others](. A Toronto private school says it is “deeply concerned” by sex abuse allegations against its co-founder. [Here’s what we know](. [A camp counsellor charged with filming a six-year-old in a washroom]( was in the hiring process to become Peel police officer. A Barrie-area woman has seen her mortgage payments balloon to the point of being forced to sell her home. [Take a look at the dramatic numbers](. Complaints about Tesla “phantom braking” have [spurred an investigation by Transport Canada](. Looking for a market with plenty of attractive houses for sale? [Innisfil is becoming a homebuyer’s dream](. A video showed a car driving into a High Park protestor. [Now, the city is investigating an employee](. Stores are trying to limit panic-buying after India banned rice exports. [Here’s a look at the impact](. A 22-year-old Toronto man who won a free Air Canada trip for two took to Reddit to find someone to travel with. [Here’s how it went](. Presto card prices will drop starting next week. [Here’s what you need to know](. POV Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images [Susan Delacourt: Why is a prime minister’s marriage any of your business?]( CLOSE-UP Shanna Madison/Chicago Tribune/TNS ERAS TOUR: Taylor Swift performs in Chicago on June 2. While Canadian fans feared they would be snubbed, the megastar has announced a six-show finale of her massive tour in Toronto. [Here’s how it all worked out for the GTA’s Swifties](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_193873). Andrew will see you back here Monday. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](