A test of Trump's immunity

Spencer Elliott and Julius Lasin, USA TODAY
·3 min read
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Donald Trump's lawyers argued he's essentially free from prosecution because he wasn't impeached and convicted. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin disclosed that he has prostate cancer. And Michigan reigns supreme as college football national champions.

Hi! It's Spencer and Julius, tagging in for Laura. Let's dive into Tuesday's news.

📱 But first, how did an iPhone survive a 16,000-foot fall intact? Scientists explain how the device still works.

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Trump lawyer: A president can get away with murder – if they're not impeached

Could a president be prosecuted for ordering SEAL Team Six to assassinate their political rivals? Or for selling military secrets to foreign adversaries? No, Donald Trump's lawyer argued in federal appeals court Tuesday, not unless they were impeached and convicted in a Senate trial first. Trump, who attended the hearing, contends he is immune to charges of conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election because his actions took place while he was president. The case, which could reach the Supreme Court, marks the first chance for courts to gauge a former president's criminal immunity because Trump is the first to be charged.

Former President Donald Trump arrives at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday.
Former President Donald Trump arrives at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Tuesday.

What everyone's talking about

Storm brings tornadoes to the South

A storm with heavy rain and powerful winds sparked tornadoes across the South on Tuesday en route to the Northeast. The National Weather Service confirmed at least three tornadoes across the Florida Panhandle, where wind gusts as high as 106 mph were reported. A thunderstorm over southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia had winds recorded at speeds of 70 mph and hail the size of baseballs, according to the weather service. As the storm moves toward the Northeast and rain begins to fall over snow-covered areas, the potential for flooding will be widespread, especially along low-lying areas, swollen creeks and streams. Read the latest updates.

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Defense Secretary Austin has prostate cancer

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer, and the surgery that he underwent on Dec. 22 resulted in complications that have hospitalized him at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since Jan. 1, according to a statement from his doctors released by the Pentagon. The surgery was minimally invasive and uneventful but he was under general anesthesia, according to the statement. The cancer was detected early and his prognosis is excellent. After Austin failed to disclose his subsequent hospitalization, the White House launched a review of the notification procedures that cabinet secretaries must follow if they're unable to perform their duties.

Michigan wins first football title since 1997

Hail to the victors: Michigan is college football's national champion for the first time in more than a quarter century. The Wolverines capped their perfect season with a 34-13 win over Washington on Monday night and naturally sits at No. 1 in the final US LBM Coaches Poll of the season.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his team celebrate after winning 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his team celebrate after winning 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game against Washington.

A break from the news

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's immunity, Lloyd Austin's condition and a storm: Tuesday's news