The Evening: Biden faces doubts after debate disaster

Also, the Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors overstepped in Jan. 6 case.

View in browser|nytimes.com June 28, 2024 SUPPORTED BY MARYLAND & CO SEAFOOD By Matthew Cullen Good evening. Here's the latest at the end of Friday. Doubts about Biden A ruling on Jan. 6 cases Plus, Pride Day After President Biden's shaky debate performance, his team was racing to reassure supporters.  Kenny Holston/The New York Times After Biden's debate disaster, an uncertain path The Democratic Party is facing a growing crisis after President Biden's struggles in his debate against Donald Trump last night. A wide range of lawmakers, advisers and activists mulled a shocking scenario: replacing him on the ticket roughly four months before Election Day. During a rally in North Carolina this afternoon, Biden sought to reassure his supporters. "I know I'm not a young man, to state the obvious," he said, using a teleprompter. "I don't speak as smoothly as I used to. I don't debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong." So far, top elected Democrats and the Biden campaign have ruled out replacing him. But privately, others in the party said Biden should not be the nominee. "It's a five-alarm fire," said Astead Herndon, a Times politics reporter who hosts the "The Run-Up" podcast. "Democrats are coming to the knowledge that the president's age is not just a sideshow in this election, but it's the core of why he remains so unpopular." Astead said the most telling response he saw was from Representative Ro Khanna, an official Biden surrogate. When asked if Biden could do his job, Khanna said: "I think we, as a team, can do it." That, Astead said, "is just an embarrassing level of admission." Replacing Biden would be complicated and would open the door to political upheaval. Here's what to know. The Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Jason Andrew for The New York Times Justices said that prosecutors overstepped in Jan. 6 case The Supreme Court ruled today that federal prosecutors improperly used an obstruction law to charge a member of the mob that stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The decision could affect hundreds of Jan. 6 riot prosecutions, as well as the federal case accusing Donald Trump of plotting to subvert the 2020 election. It is likely that under the new standard set by the Supreme Court's majority, many of the charges against the rioters will be dropped. But Jack Smith, the special counsel who charged Trump, said the former president's conduct could be considered a crime under even a narrow reading of the law. In another major case, the court's conservative majority reduced the power of executive agencies by sweeping aside a longstanding legal precedent known as Chevron deference. The court's opinion could make it easier for opponents of federal regulations on the environment, health care, worker protection, food and drug safety, telecommunications, the financial sector and more to challenge them in court. In the long run, the ruling's impact could be enormous. The party of President Emmanuel Macron suffered a stinging defeat in European Parliament elections this month. Dylan Martinez/Reuters France is reeling ahead of Sunday's election Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, shocked his nation when he dissolved Parliament and called for a snap election after his party was trounced by the far right during European elections. On Sunday, French voters head to the polls. The Times's Paris bureau chief, Roger Cohen, said the most likely outcome is that the far-right National Rally party will win the largest share of seats in Parliament. "The general atmosphere here is one of consternation, bewilderment and tension, now mostly beneath the surface, with fears of violent demonstrations if the far right wins big," Roger said. More top news Law: The Supreme Court upheld an Oregon city's ban on sleeping outdoors. Middle East: The U.S. is making an intense diplomatic push to prevent a full-on war between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Iowa: The state's Supreme Court ruled that the state's six-week abortion ban could take effect. Inflation: The Fed's preferred inflation measure cooled last month, bringing welcome news to central bankers. Iran: Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, was expected to come out in the lead in the presidential election held today. Turnout was low. Alaska: The Biden administration denied permission to build a 211-mile road that would have cut through a national park and preserve to reach copper and zinc deposits. Immigration: Around 300,000 Haitians will be protected from deportation and allowed to work in the U.S. under a plan by the Biden administration. California: Wildfires ignited by lightning have spread to more than 10,000 acres east of Fresno, threatening over 900 homes. TIME TO UNWIND Today is Pride Day, which commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times Say it loud, say it proud This weekend, marches are being held in many cities across the country to celebrate L.G.B.T.Q. pride. The tradition began more than 50 years ago to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, which ushered in an era of activism for gay rights. To mark the occasion, a new cultural space called the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center opened today in New York City. It documents the story of vulnerable people who have achieved some measure of political and social justice. But it's also about people who remain under threat, our critic writes. Also, we asked dozens of L.G.B.T.Q. artists, writers, actors and others, ranging in age from 34 to 93, to look back on their own lives at age 30. Together, they offer a history of queer life. "It was the start of a new life." Erik Tanner for The New York Times 50 years ago, Mikhail Baryshnikov left everything behind On the night of June 29, 1974, Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the Bolshoi Ballet's brightest stars, defected from the Soviet Union while on tour in Canada. He eventually moved to New York and became the pre-eminent male dancer of the 1970s and '80s, helping to elevate ballet in popular culture. Baryshnikov says that at the time he saw the decision as mostly artistic — a chance to build his career. But since then, he has become more political. We talked to him about the challenges facing Russian artists today, the war in Ukraine and the life he left behind 50 years ago. Beacon and the gymnast Shilese Jones. Desiree Rios for The New York Times Dinner table topics The Goodest Boy: When it comes to mental health initiatives in gymnastics, Beacon, a golden retriever, is the star of the show. The fastest fastball: In baseball, is 110 miles per hour the next big number to fall? What does A.I. sound like? Women's voices dominate in the advancing technology. So do some stubborn stereotypes. My special day: Is it OK to vlog at weddings? An influencer started a social media debate. A MESSAGE FROM MARYLAND & CO SEAFOOD Best Fresh Seafood & Quality Steaks Delivered Maryland & Co has incredible Steaks and Seafood for an Epic Summer Feast! Shop our lowest prices on Meat Packs, Crab, Lobster and Desserts! Feasts from $99. Sign Up and Save WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Cook: This recipe for homemade ice cream is the only one you'll ever need. Watch: Here are 10 new movies our critics are talking about. Read: "Middle of the Night" shatters the idea of American suburban tranquillity. Here's what else is on our list of horror books. Create: Research shows that making something with your hands is good for your brain. Train: We asked fitness experts what wearable weights can really do for your health. Hunt: Which home in Belgium would you pick with a $1.3 million budget? Compete: Take this week's news quiz. Play: Here are today's Spelling Bee, Wordle and Mini Crossword. Find all of our games here. ONE LAST THING via Vacation Warning: Don't eat the sunscreen Don't confuse the canister above with whipped cream. It may be labeled Classic Whip and spray out a whipped-cream-like substance with the same whooshing sound you'd expect. But it's actually a can of sunscreen. The mousse product, made by a company called Vacation, is one of a handful that are trying to make applying sunscreen in the summer a bit more entertaining. They can be pricey, but one dermatologist we spoke to said that "anything that is novel that will make people use sunscreen and get excited about it is a win." Have a prudent weekend. Thanks for reading. I'll be back on Monday. — Matthew Phil Pacheco was our photo editor today. We welcome your feedback. Write to us at evening@nytimes.com. Writer: Matthew Cullen Editorial Director: Adam Pasick Editors: Carole Landry, Whet Moser, Justin Porter, Jonathan Wolfe Photo Editor: Brent Lewis Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Evening from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Evening, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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