SCOTUS Fallout, Kean's Return to Congress After Odd Absence, New NBA Gambling Scandal: AM Update 7/1

Good morning, everyone. I'm Emily Jashinski, host of After Party and the Megyn Kelly Wrap-Up Show on SiriusXM Channel 111. It's Wednesday, July 1st, 2026. This is your AM Update. This whole case came about because of Donald Trump's continued effort to politicize transgender people. Democratic politicians preparing their responses to a historic Supreme Court victory for girls' sports. Trump tried to erase one of our nation's clearest constitutional guarantees, and he failed. Democrats celebrating a major Supreme Court victory on birthright citizenship, as Republicans pursue new paths to restrict it through Congress. Congressman Tom Kaine Jr. ends his nearly four-month absence from Congress and reveals why he says he went missing. And a new NBA gambling scandal with a former player accused of deliberately changing his performance so another former player and a group of bettors could profit. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update. 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The Title IX portion of the decision was unanimous with all nine justices agreeing the landmark civil rights law permits schools to maintain separate male and female sports teams based on biological sex. The justices dividing six to three along ideological lines on the constitutional question of whether those bans unfairly discriminate against so-called transgender students, with the court's three liberal members dissenting. President Trump, who made protecting women's sports a centerpiece of his campaign, celebrating the decision on Truth Social, writing, quote, big win. The United States Supreme Court just ruled against men playing in women's sports. Wow. That takes the ridiculous situation off the table. The ruling does not impose one nationwide policy, instead confirming that states may enact bans without violating federal law. CBS News chief legal correspondent Jan Crawford explaining that the ruling protects state bans without requiring other states to adopt them. Twenty-seven states have these bans, more than half. Two others allow, I mean, ban it by policy. And today, the court said that those bans did not violate the Constitution or federal law, Title IX, that landmark legislation from 1972 that really leveled the playing field for girls' sports, that states were free to ban, you know, transgender athletes from participating in girls' sports if that's what they chose to do. Now, other states, of course, like California, New York, and others allow transgender athletes to participate, and they can continue to do that. The court made clear that they're not addressing those states. There's been some lawsuits challenging that participation. They're not deciding that issue. They're going to allow those states to continue to allow transgender participation. But the states that want to do it, the court said it's entirely reasonable. The decision leaving several major legal fights unresolved, including challenges to policies in California, Connecticut, and Minnesota that allow boys to compete on girls' teams. Liberal officials across the country decrying the ruling. In Minnesota, State Attorney General Keith Ellison posting to X, quote, to every transgender Minnesotan, you belong here. This decision does not change Minnesota law or our commitment to protecting LGBTQ plus people. Today's rulings remind us that defending the rule of law also means defending the rights and dignity of every person. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, a Democrat, vowing her state will continue allowing boys to compete on girls' teams. We want all people who are playing sports to be safe and be able to play sports in a way that's done safely. You know, I also think this whole case came about because of Donald Trump's continued effort to politicize transgender people. And transgender people in Massachusetts will continue to receive full protections of anti-discrimination law here in Massachusetts. U.S. Congressman Pete Aguilar of California also lamenting the decision. Ironically, arguing questions over who may compete in girls' sports would be better handled locally, which is essentially what the Supreme Court just permitted states to do. This is unfortunate. This is a group that prides themselves on states' rights. I think being a kid is hard enough these days. And for these justices and for politicians to say that they know better is incredibly tough. I don't know why those decisions can't be made locally and why we can't allow coaches and teachers and parents and kids to arrive at a conclusion that they can live with. As Democrats celebrate the U.S. Supreme Court's decision preserving birthright citizenship, Republicans begin searching for another way to restrict it. The high court ruling 6-3 that President Trump's executive order attempting to limit birthright citizenship was unlawful. A five-justice majority, including conservative justices John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett, finding that the 14th Amendment guarantees automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S., even if their parents are here illegally or only temporarily. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurring in the judgment, but on different grounds. More on that later. Democrats treating the ruling as both a legal victory and a political repudiation of the president. Here's Grace Meng of New York, Derek Tran of California, and Adrienne Espaillat of New York. As we celebrate today's ruling, I have a message for President Trump. You may believe you are above the law. You are not. You may try to divide Americans based on race, religion, or their country of origin, and you will fail. You may try to redefine what it means to be an American, and you will fail. We are American. We belong here. And no wannabe king will ever take that away from us. Almost every American can trace their family history through the story of immigration. President Trump tried to turn back the clock on that progress. He wanted to sacrifice the prosperity that we have built to just advance his own racist and xenophobic agenda. Trump tried to erase one of our nation's clearest constitutional guarantee, and he failed. We won, and he failed. President Trump responding to the ruling sarcastically on True Social, quote, I would like to congratulate President Xi and the great country of China on their massive birth right citizenship win. Republicans now considering multiple paths forward, Utah Senator Mike Lee declaring on X, quote, we're going to need a constitutional amendment. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky responding, quote, good thing I already filed one earlier this year. The constitutional amendment, however, is no small undertaking. Congress would need two-thirds support in both the House and the Senate just to propose it, followed by ratification from three-fourths of the states. That means approval from 290 members of the House, 67 senators, and 38 state legislatures. In other words, very unlikely in 2026 or any time soon. Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing in a concurring opinion, agreeing that President Trump's executive order cannot stand, but reaching that conclusion on different grounds. Kavanaugh arguing the order does not violate the 14th Amendment itself, but does conflict with an existing federal law. That distinction pointing Republicans toward a potentially simpler path, with Kavanaugh suggesting Congress could rewrite the law or create new exceptions for children born to foreign citizens who are in the country illegally or only temporarily without going through the far more difficult constitutional amendment process. President Trump highlighting that possible legislative path in another Truth Social post writing, quote, Congress should start today to work on ending expensive and unfair to our country birthright citizenship. They will have my complete and total support. Congressman Brian Babin, Republican of Texas, who previously introduced legislation restricting automatic citizenship for children of illegal immigrants, arguing the decision, quote, only reinforces why Congress must act. House Speaker Mike Johnson yesterday signaling that Republicans are prepared to explore their options. It is a serious problem. We have, we have, you know, it's become a tourism, birthing tourism, they call it, you know, a trend where people will just come and you just come onto the soil and have your child and then they're they're able to avail themselves of the welfare state and everything else. It's been abused. It's one of those things that was intended to serve a noble, important purpose and has been thwarted and and overused and abused. And so I'm sure that we'll continue to look at that. Republican lawmakers expected to intensify their push in the coming weeks, though any legislation would still need Democratic support to clear the Senate's 60 vote threshold unless Republicans move to eliminate the filibuster. Coming up after nearly four months of silence, Congressman Tom Kaine Jr. finally addressing what he says kept him away from Washington and a former NBA player indicted by federal prosecutors in a new gambling scandal. Everyone's talking about weight loss injections because the results can be so dramatic, too dramatic if you've seen some of these actresses. But in any event, if you moderate it, it can look it can look great on you. They work by lowering blood sugar and reducing appetite. 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That's promo code MK at TakeLean.com. The mystery of New Jersey's long missing congressman has come to a close with Republican Thomas Kaine Jr. returning to work yesterday for the first time in nearly four months. The GOP congressman taking to the House floor to reveal a battle with depression that required an extended hospital stay. Congressman Kaine absent from the House since March 5th, missing 140 votes and remaining almost entirely out of public view as questions about his condition drew national attention. The second term congressman beginning his remarks by saying he kept the diagnosis private because talking about himself has never come naturally. Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression. Now, when people hear the word depression, many people think simply feel it means feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that. It is physical. It is emotional. And until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be. When I said I hope to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it. Those were the best estimates that the doctors could provide. But as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing. There is no timeline for recovery. Only the work of getting better one day at a time. Congressman Kane did not offer more details about the health concerns that initially sent him to the hospital. His family and staff spent much of the spring attempting to reassure the public about his condition, though their explanations often managed to make the situation sound even more bizarre. Chief of Staff Dan Scharfenberger saying last month that Mr. Kane was dealing with a personal health condition and would be back soon. Asked why no one had actually seen the congressman, Scharfenberger responding, quote, there's no cameras where Tom is. Congressman Kane's return coming four weeks after he won an uncontested Republican primary on June 2nd, securing the nomination for a third term without appearing publicly or returning to the Capitol. Kane represents New Jersey's competitive 7th congressional district, one of Democrats' top targets as they attempt to reclaim the House majority in November. Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, making his absence a central part of her campaign. Bennett calling out the congressman during remarks to supporters last week, saying, quote, Tom Kane Jr., wherever you are, you have failed this district. During his brief speech on the House floor, Mr. Kane describing how the experience away from the public eye for four months changed him for the better. I am grateful that I accepted help because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love. I've always been a supporter of mental health care. During my time in the New Jersey legislature, I worked to advance mental health parity. I believed in the cause then, and I understand it in a far more personal way now. Mr. Kane returning to Washington just in time for the House to leave town Thursday for a week-long recess. Two former NBA players among six defendants now facing federal charges in the league's latest sports gambling scandal. Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York on Monday unsealing an indictment against nine-year NBA veteran Malik Beasley, 12-year veteran Ed Davis, current NBA agent Paolo Zamorano, and three alleged co-conspirators William Brown, Robert Gorditsky, and Ernesto Plascencia. The group charged with wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors accusing the defendants of turning Beasley's on-court performance into inside information, allegedly bribing him to manipulate his performance and then betting hundreds of thousands of dollars on the results. Beasley and Davis becoming friends while playing together for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020-2021 season. According to the indictment, Davis later becoming Beasley's so-called gatekeeper, coordinating with him before games during the 2023-2024 season when Beasley played for the Milwaukee Bucs. Prosecutors allege Beasley agreed to either underperform or overperform in specific areas of the game, such as points or rebounds, giving Davis advance notice of what he intended to do. Davis and the other defendants allegedly using that information to place wagers tied directly to Beasley's individual statistics. In exchange, prosecutors claim Beasley received bribes largely through the reduction or repayment of gambling debts he owed Davis. The indictment identifying four games during the 2023-2024 season that Beasley allegedly agreed to manipulate. For example, ahead of a January 26 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, investigators claiming the group wagered tens of thousands of dollars on Beasley falling below his expected performance. Beasley, who was averaging more than 11 points per game that season, finished that night with just three points. In another instance, before a March 10 game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Beasley allegedly telling Davis he intended to finish the game with more than three and a half rebounds, Beasley grabbing his fourth rebound in the final second of the game. Brown later texting Plascencia, quote, he got one rebound with 1.1 seconds left, adding that Beasley pushed Buck's teammate Pat Conaton out of the way to secure it. The wagers detailed in the indictment totaling more than $75,000 and producing at least $121,000 in net winnings. Significant money for an ordinary batter, though a fraction of what the two former players earned during their NBA careers. Beasley making roughly $60 million across nine seasons with six teams, according to The Athletic. The former first-round draft pick reportedly losing millions through gambling, accumulating substantial debts despite those career earnings. The Pistons reportedly offering Beasley a three-year, $42 million contract last offseason, then pulling the offer after learning he was the subject of a federal investigation. That investigation underway for more than a year before Monday's indictment. Davis, meanwhile, was selected by Toronto in the 2010 NBA draft, playing 12 seasons for eight teams, earning roughly $47 million. Several defendants arrested Monday in various parts of the country, expected to be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date, according to the DOJ. Beasley was not immediately taken into custody, but is expected to surrender voluntarily by today. If convicted, each defendant could face up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracy charges and up to five years on the sports bribery charge. Beasley and Davis now joining three other current or former NBA players charged in the widening federal crackdown on illegal sports betting. That'll do it for your AM Update. I'm Emily Jashinski, host of After Party. Catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on Sirius XM's The Megyn Kelly Channel, 111 at Noon East, on YouTube.com slash Megyn Kelly and all podcast platforms.