Statute Had Limitations: “Supreme Court justices on Tuesday raised concerns about the Justice Department’s use of an obstruction statute to charge those involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The case that could have bearing on the election interference prosecution of former President Donald Trump.” (Notably, Clarence Thomas didn’t recuse himself from the case even though his wife was involved in efforts to overturn the election.)

+ Dust to Dust: “On Tuesday, federal officials posted new rules to protect coal and other miners from toxic silica dust, a growing problem in mines that has left thousands sick and dying. It took mine safety regulators 50 years to do what federal researchers had long urged.”

+ Tehran and Tel Aviv: “Many Iranians also see the Iran-Israel confrontation now emerging from the shadows as being orchestrated by the Iranian government rather than reflective of the will of the Iranian people. This perception is underscored by a heavy police presence on the streets of Tehran – ostensibly about enforcing strict Islamic dress codes requiring women to cover their hair but which many suspect is mainly about crushing any possible protests.” Iranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground.’

+ Putin Context: Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic (Gift Article): Why Did U.S. Planes Defend Israel but Not Ukraine? There are several reasons. Here’s a big one: “A part of the Republican Party, including its presidential candidate, does sympathize with the Russian dictatorship, does repeat its talking points, and does seek to appease Russia when it invades and occupies other countries.”

+ Econ 101: “The extensive trade in American expertise presents a quandary for universities and policymakers in Washington: Where’s the line between fostering academic research and empowering a U.S. rival?” WSJ (Gift Article): Research for Sale: How Chinese Money Flows to American Universities.

+ Inmates/Asylum: “Conservative Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is joining Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) in her efforts to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after the Louisiana Republican announced plans to bring multiple foreign aid bills to the floor.”

+ Fever Pitch: Indiana Fever select Iowa’s Caitlin Clark No. 1 in 2024 WNBA draft. More notable is the coverage that the WNBA draft got on TV and online. How do you know women’s basketball has become a much more valuable commodity? When Jake from State Farm gets the first hug. While the ratings are going up, the salaries are lagging. Caitlin Clark’s staggeringly low starting salary, briefly explained.