12:30 Report — Trump fate in hush money case now in jury’s hands

It’s Wednesday. I hope you all had a summery Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what’s happening today:

• The jury’s deliberations have just begun. President TrumpHush money lawsuit.
• Decision Desk HQ and The Hill just released election projections showing the odds of Republicans and Democrats taking control of the White House and Congress this fall, and as you’ll read on, the odds are, quite frankly, much better for Republicans.
• China will send two giant pandas to Washington DC later this year! 🥳

I Kate Martel A quick summary of what happened this morning and what’s coming up. Leave your tips, comments, feedback, and cookie recipes here! Email:. Did someone forward this newsletter to you?Sign up here.

Former juror President TrumpThe hush money trial is now underway after weeks of testimony and lengthy closing arguments on Tuesday.

What happened this morning : Judge Juan MerchanRead instructions to jurors, including warnings about bias and legal definitions.

From the New York Times: ‘judge‘The instructions will provide a road map for jurors to evaluate Trump.‘destiny‘

How long does it take?It may take just a few hours, or it may take days or even weeks for jurors to agree on a verdict.

Key points from the closing statement: Trump campaign focuses on taking down former Trump fixer Michael CohenCohen is a key witness to convict Trump. Approximately 5 hours The court reviewed all the evidence, including emphasizing that it did not rely on Cohen’s testimony. Tuesday’s court hearing lasted until around 8pm (!).

Five lessons from closing arguments in the Trump trial

Why Michael Cohen’s testimony will be crucial in the verdict

What to expect from the ruling If the jury finds Trump guilty, it would strengthen the legitimacy of the charges against him. But if the former president is found not guilty, it would be a major victory for his team and would likely cast doubt on the three other pending criminal cases against him. Brett SamuelsHow to report Politics prepares for Trump’s sentence.

read more: “If Trump is convicted in the hush money trial,‘What he might face next is From the Washington Post David Nakamura

Trump’s legal team has its eye on one juror in particular : Bulwark Mark CaputoMost of the jurors reportedly do not make eye contact with Trump, a worrying sign for any defense team. However, one juror shows more friendly body language toward the defendant, including nodding and making eye contact. This may simply be a friendly gesture, but it is worth noting.Bulwark)

This morning — Trump makes new claimsFormer President Trump argued this morning that a judge is preventing him from using the counsel-advised defense, which basically means that Trump can claim he acted on the instructions of his lawyers. Yes, butHis lawyers said they would not use this as a defense strategy. Here is the explanation

Oops : The New York Times Maggie Haberman Report from the court“Just now there was an astonishing moment when a video was played on the phone of someone from the Trump campaign, briefly interrupting the judge. Cell phones are prohibited in the courtroom, but as always, the defense’s cell phone use is essentially ignored by court staff.”

It was a Mickey D’s kind of day.CBS News Jake Rosen Noticed “As Trump’s closing arguments went on a lunch break… they were packed into eight giant bags. [McDonald’s] At 100 Centre Street, men in suits carried it up the stairs.”

The queue was especially long on Tuesday.： Hill Zach Schonfeld He posted a photo of the courthouse..

Tuesday 5:15am: Photos here Scenes from the scene, via The Hill’sElla Lee.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo announced this morning that China will send two pandas to Washington, DC, later this year. The Hill)

Now, let me introduce: 2 year old panda, Bao Leemen, and Qinghaiwoman

Bao Li has ties to DC Pandas: The Washington Post “Bao Li has family roots in the district. He Bao Bao A female giant panda born at the zoo in 2013. Mei Xiangand Tien TienThe panda couple Departure from the zoo Last year was heartbreaking and marked the end of an era.”

A question I get asked all the time is how to predict what will happen in November. While it’s impossible, there is new data that can inform the outcome of the election.

According to a new forecasting model released by Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ) and The Hill, Republicans are currently expected to win the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. in particular:

• White HouseTrump: 58 percent chance To win the presidential election.

• Senate : The Republican Party 80 percent chanceObtain a majority in the Senate.
• The House : The Republican Party 64 percent chancemaintain majority in the House of Representatives.
  

How DDHQ calculated its predictionsThe election forecasters used “200 different data points, including each party’s voter registration numbers, demographics, past election results, fundraising totals, and polling averages.”

Jared Gans of The Hill has more on November’s predictions. : “Trump and the Republicans are the front-runners for the White House and Congress.”

📊 Check out The Hill/DDHQ’s election predictions

Forecasting editorials, Via DDHQ Scott Tranter, Ryan Guest and Zachary Donini

hill Caroline Vakil Created a listIt’s one of six state legislatures at risk of partisan control.

Six states: Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Arizona, New Hampshire, Wisconsin

🥘 celebrate: Today is Nationwide Coq au vin day! (French cuisine using chicken)

😜 A random but interesting combination: Mashable Report Several new emojis, including one with swollen eyes, may soon be appearing on smartphones.

👗 Interesting Articles : The Cut Chantal FernandezI found six very similar dresses across very different price ranges and compared their quality. Read the comparison

⚡️ Wow wow wow : check out This video and This photo Apparently lightning struck the Washington Monument over the weekend. Timelapse of this storm Passing over the United States Capitol.

The House and Senate are in recess. President Biden and Vice President Harris I’m in Philadelphia this afternoon. (All times Eastern Time)

• 12:30pm: White House Press SecretaryKarine Jean-Pierre Speaking to reporters on Air Force One. Live Stream
• 1:30pm: Biden and Harris campaigning in Philadelphia. Live Stream
• 2:40pm: Harris is leaving for Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• 4:40pm: Biden is leaving for Wilmington, Delaware.
• June 3:The Senate is back in session. Monday’s schedule