Jack Smith's tactical misstep

Double tragedies rock Texas over the weekend [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Monday, May. 08, 2023 THE LATEST [Alternate text] The solution to the debt ceiling crisis is staring us right in the face [By Michael A. Cohen]( The United States is less than a month away from driving headfirst over the proverbial fiscal cliff. Unless the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passes a bill to increase the debt limit that is also acceptable to the Democrat-controlled Senate and the White House, the United States will, for the first time in its history, default on its debt. That would provoke a catastrophe, likely plunging the U.S. into recession. So the question on everyone’s mind is: Can this calamity be avoided? No … and yes. Republicans and Democrats will almost certainly fail to craft a legislative compromise. Neither side wants to find agreement and even if one did, there is likely no deal that both sides could agree to. Instead, President Joe Biden must act unilaterally — perhaps by minting a $1 trillion platinum coin (unlikely) or choosing to simply ignore the debt limit and continue to borrow money (more likely). Whatever tactic he chooses, the burden will be on Biden to act — and ironically, all sides in Washington would benefit if he does. This is a preview of Michael A. Cohen's latest article. [Read the full column here.](     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [A photo of Jack Smith]( [MICHAEL CONWAY]( [Jack Smith is up against both Trump and time. And he may have just made a big mistake.]( With each passing day, the risk grows that criminal charges could be pending in November 2024. If that happens, America will serve as Trump’s jury. [Read more.]( [A photo of Queen Camilla]( [ANI BUNDEL]( [The subtext of Queen Camilla's new royal title — and Diana's long shadow]( Camilla going from “the other woman” to England’s queen isn’t exactly feminism — but it might be closure. Read more.]( [JA'HAN JONES]( [Why 'Succession' is the most entertaining boring show ever]( When the office is portrayed as a battlefield, bureaucratic maneuvers can feel like acts of war. And this is what “Succession” does so masterfully.Read more.]( [Clarence Thomas]( [JAMES DOWNIE]( [Enough is enough. Clarence Thomas must resign — or be impeached.]( Unprecedented ethical violations demand an unprecedented response. But only a few lawmakers have already grasped this reality. Read more.]( TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [WEEKENDS WITH ALEX WITT]( [Texas shooting witness: 'Mental health didn't fire that gun. Those people were killed with bullets']( [INSIDE WITH JEN PSAKI]( [Rep. Raskin: Special counsel could ‘absolutely’ consider seditious conspiracy for Trump]( [YASMIN VOSSOUGHIAN REPORTS]( [7 dead, 12 injured after vehicle plows into group near Texas border migrant shelter]( [JONATHAN CAPEHART]( [Capehart: Kevin McCarthy will 'shoot the hostage to save his speakership']( [MORE FROM MSNBC]( [Alternate text] Legal news is dominating the headlines, and former prosecutor Jordan Rubin is tackling these crucial issues with a new limited newsletter, Deadline: Legal. An extension of Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace, you can expect insights when major updates hit, along with news and analysis from MSNBC legal experts, in your inbox until the end of the current Supreme Court term. [Subscribe now.](   On Sunday, MSNBC Films presents the fifth episode of “Leguizamo Does America,” a six-part series from NBC News Studios. This week, John Leguizamo travels to Puerto Rico to see all the ways the island and its people have influenced American culture, and how America is influencing theirs. Watch an all new episode of “Leguizamo Does America,” Sunday at 10pm ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.   [Image] [Image] 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily) [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)