March 31, 2023

The Indictment

The Story

Former President Trump made history once again.

What’s the latest?

Yesterday, a Manhattan grand jury indicted Trump — making him the first former US president to face criminal charges. The indictment is over Trump’s alleged role in a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. In 2018, Michael Cohen — Trump’s former lawyer — admitted he paid Daniels $130,000 ahead of the 2016 election to keep an alleged affair with Trump quiet. Cohen said the former president reimbursed him through the Trump Organization but labeled it as a legal expense. The Manhattan district attorney’s office has been looking into whether Trump falsified business records. Trump hinted nearly two weeks ago that he’d get arrested. Now, the DA’s office has decided there's enough evidence to charge the former president.

What happens now?

Trump's expected to surrender to the Manhattan DA's office on Tuesday, according to his lawyers. He reportedly faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud. Like any other person being arraigned, Trump will likely have his fingerprints and mugshot taken. It’s unclear if handcuffs will be involved. However, given Trump's status as a former president, accommodations might be made for him. He'll also likely be accompanied by Secret Service agents, who are required by law to protect him. If you’re wondering about jail time, that won’t happen unless he’s convicted. Also, the indictment or a potential conviction wouldn’t ban Trump from running for president. 

What’s Trump saying?

Trump called the indictment “political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history” and referred to himself as a “completely innocent person.” His lawyers have said they will “vigorously fight” the charges. Republicans have united in calling the indictment “outrageous.” Democrats like Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said “a nation of laws must hold the rich and powerful accountable, even when they hold high office.” In the meantime, the NYPD has called on all its roughly 36,000 officers to report for duty today as a “precautionary measure.”

theSkimm

Donald Trump, who's the first president to be impeached twice, will go down in history for this criminal indictment. Now, as a 2024 presidential candidate, not only will he have to fight this legal battle, but he also faces several other investigations, including for rape, election interference, and mishandled classified documents. 

Who’s laying down the law…

A Texas Judge. Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that employers aren’t required to cover some free preventive services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since the law passed in 2010, a volunteer task force has been in charge of setting preventive coverage requirements. But a group of conservatives sued, saying the task force was illegal and that covering things like HIV prevention violated their religious beliefs. Now, the judge has agreed and issued a nationwide injunction. The decision affects more than 150 million people who could lose access to free preventive services, including HIV screenings, colonoscopies, mammograms, and other cancer screenings. The good news: Most insurance contracts are written through the end of the year, so policies aren’t likely to change anytime soon. The Biden admin is expected to appeal and may ask for a pause on the injunction.

What's raising alarms…

Russia. Yesterday, the White House called for all Americans to leave Moscow “immediately.” The announcement comes after Russian authorities arrested The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges. It's the first time an American journalist has been detained on spying accusations since the Cold War — a move that could raise tensions between Washington and Moscow. The WSJ denied the spying allegations and called for the release of their “trusted and dedicated reporter.” The White House said the State Department is working to get Gershkovich back home. If convicted, Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison.

…Oh and speaking of Russia’s frenemies, Turkey approved Finland’s NATO membership. ​​Now, Finland's one step closer to becoming the bloc’s 31st member.

Where there's a shakeup…

San Jose, CA. Earlier this week, federal officials charged the executive director of the San Jose police union with importing synthetic opioids and distributing them in the US. According to federal officials, Joanne Marian Segovia imported fentanyl and other synthetic opioids worth thousands of dollars from places like Hong Kong, Hungary, India, and Singapore. She ordered at least 61 shipments over the course of about eight years that were labeled as “Wedding Party Favors,” “Gift Makeup,” or “Chocolate and Sweets.” Segovia has since been put on leave. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

What’s taking the Kingdom part very seriously…

Disney.

While Miley Cyrus is being a Happy Hippie..

Lizzo is championing for inclusivity.

Who’s skiing away scot-free…

Gwyneth Paltrow.

Who’s laying down the law…

A Texas Judge. Yesterday, a federal judge ruled that employers aren’t required to cover some free preventive services under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Since the law passed in 2010, a volunteer task force has been in charge of setting preventive coverage requirements. But a group of conservatives sued, saying the task force was illegal and that covering things like HIV prevention violated their religious beliefs. Now, the judge has agreed and issued a nationwide injunction. The decision affects more than 150 million people who could lose access to free preventive services, including HIV screenings, colonoscopies, mammograms, and other cancer screenings. The good news: Most insurance contracts are written through the end of the year, so policies aren’t likely to change anytime soon. The Biden admin is expected to appeal and may ask for a pause on the injunction.

What's raising alarms…

Russia. Yesterday, the White House called for all Americans to leave Moscow “immediately.” The announcement comes after Russian authorities arrested The Wall Street Journal’s Evan Gershkovich on espionage charges. It's the first time an American journalist has been detained on spying accusations since the Cold War — a move that could raise tensions between Washington and Moscow. The WSJ denied the spying allegations and called for the release of their “trusted and dedicated reporter.” The White House said the State Department is working to get Gershkovich back home. If convicted, Gershkovich faces up to 20 years in prison.

…Oh and speaking of Russia’s frenemies, Turkey approved Finland’s NATO membership. ​​Now, Finland's one step closer to becoming the bloc’s 31st member.

Where there's a shakeup…

San Jose, CA. Earlier this week, federal officials charged the executive director of the San Jose police union with importing synthetic opioids and distributing them in the US. According to federal officials, Joanne Marian Segovia imported fentanyl and other synthetic opioids worth thousands of dollars from places like Hong Kong, Hungary, India, and Singapore. She ordered at least 61 shipments over the course of about eight years that were labeled as “Wedding Party Favors,” “Gift Makeup,” or “Chocolate and Sweets.” Segovia has since been put on leave. If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

What’s taking the Kingdom part very seriously…

Disney.

While Miley Cyrus is being a Happy Hippie..

Lizzo is championing for inclusivity.

Who’s skiing away scot-free…

Gwyneth Paltrow.

In our 2023 State of Women Report, 64% of millennial women surveyed told us they’re “tired of trying to be a super mom, super wife, and/ or super employee.” Here’s the good news: They’re doing something about it – by rethinking what boundaries look like at work and home, and finally prioritizing themselves. 

So we asked Skimm readers to tell us exactly how they’re doing that. One used project management software to visibly showcase the brunt of household tasks. Some got divorced. And some chose new career paths. The overall trend? They’re done letting society dictate their role. Read more of what they had to say here.

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. Products that can help you prioritize self-care and growth.

Since launching their best-selling Better Every Day Journal in 2020, women-owned brand Inside Then Out has expanded with a collection of modern, minimalistic products that make it easier to reflect and grow. Check it all out.*

2. A Brazilian-inspired body cream to help your skin look, feel, and smell amazing.

This cruelty-free cream is full of benefit-rich ingredients that leave skin moisturized and looking visibly firmer and tighter. Plus the delicious pistachio, salted caramel, and vanilla scent is basically irresistible. Skin-win-win.*

3. Booze-free beverages reminiscent of classic cocktails.

Mocktail Club’s globally-inspired drinks come in four bold and daring flavors like Manhattan Berry and Capri Spritz. They’re healthy, refreshing, and created with antioxidants and prebiotics to promote digestive health. Hangover not included. Cheers.*

4. The best sales to shop this week.

We’ve found everything from a discount on the popular Always Pan to a spring sale at Nordstrom. Get to it.