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A federal judge just slapped down an attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate Minnesota Democrats. The ruling marries three broader stories of Donald Trump’s second term: his efforts to politicize the Justice Department, his immigration crackdown, and his clashes with even Republican-appointed judges.
Meanwhile, for your evening enjoyment, we’ve got a review of a fire-breathing show, an advice column straight from Hogwarts, and more World Cup. But first, the news.
Tell me more about this ruling.
In a decision unsealed on Monday afternoon, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from subpoenaing several top Minnesota Democrats. U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz quashed the “unlawful” subpoenas, ruling that “overwhelming evidence” suggested they “were not issued to investigate, but to harass, coerce, and retaliate.”
What’s the backstory?
Think back to winter, when waves of federal agents descended on Minnesota. The administration accused Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other local officials of impeding federal efforts to enforce immigration law and convinced a grand jury to subpoena documents from them. But in siding with those officials, Schiltz saw an ulterior motive. States aren’t obligated to help the federal government enforce immigration law. And as Schiltz wrote, the Justice Department “struggled—without success—to identify a single plausible investigatory justification” for its subpoenas.
Tough break for Trump! But I’m guessing this judge is a big-time liberal?
Not quite! George W. Bush appointed Schiltz to the federal bench two decades ago. Before that, Schiltz clerked at the Supreme Court for Antonin Scalia, a conservative hero. And as a University of Notre Dame law professor, he helped one of his students secure that same Scalia clerkship. That student was Amy Coney Barrett, who Trump later put on the Supreme Court. Small world! But Schiltz’s conservative bona fides haven’t stopped the administration from labeling one of his previous rulings a “diatribe” from an “activist judge.” He’s also only the latest GOP-nominated judge to feel Trump’s wrath. The president recently beefed with another Bush appointee who paused construction of Trump’s beloved White House ballroom. And he labeled Barrett and Neil Gorsuch, two of his own SCOTUS nominees, “fools and lap dogs” for ruling against his tariffs this year.
What happens next?
The Justice Department could still appeal Schiltz’s ruling. But even if it doesn’t, this case was just one way Trump is targeting Minnesota. The administration has withheld millions in Medicaid funding from the state, and Vice President J.D. Vance has urged the Justice Department to investigate Walz for allegedly failing to stop social services fraud. The state is also in a standoff with the administration over investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two Minneapolis residents who were shot by federal agents during anti-ICE protests. So stay tuned.
OK! That’s it for Monday. Time for something fun. Instead of screen paralysis, might we offer:
A primer to a show that’s … getting good? HBO’s House of the Dragon is the prequel to Game of Thrones. That’s an intriguing proposition, but the first two seasons fell a bit flat. No more! Season 3 “finally starts to zero in on what feels like it might be the show’s core story,” explains Slate’s Sam Adams. And for the real dragon-heads, my colleagues Nadira Goffe and Rebecca Onion break down the premiere in their piece: “House of the Dragon Returns With the Mother of All Betrayals.”
A story about A.I. that’s … actually upbeat? OpenAI recently claimed its ChatGPT had solved a math problem that had stumped carbon-based brains (you may know them as humans) for 80 years. It was hailed as the moment that A.I.’s mathematical prowess exceeded our own. But the truth, explains Noah Giansiracusa, is way more complicated. Come for a great explanation of a mathematical mystery. Stay for a great reality check on A.I., and an optimistic read on the interaction between machine and human intelligence.
A comically low-stakes marital dispute? Dear Prudence fields a letter from “Done With Disney,” a spouse who left a Disney Adult only to find his new partner’s secret obsession is … Harry Potter. I was wide-eyed at the question, and I laughed so hard at Jenée Desmond-Harris’ answer.
A new World Cup record? Leo Messi’s Argentina played Austria today, and the GOAT missed a penalty kick. But lest anyone confuse him with a mortal, he followed up with a pair of goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. You can watch the highlights here. France and Iraq are playing this afternoon, and the evening rounds out with Norway–Senegal at 8 Eastern and Jordan-Algeria at 11.
And finally: How about a recommendation for a great way to start tomorrow? Our brand-new morning newsletter, Your Morning Slate, is rolling out tomorrow! Sign up here to get three great recommendations and a quick tour of the best of Slate in your inbox bright and early.
OK! That’s all for now. See you tomorrow!
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