The briefing for Tuesday, February 24.

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear appeals from oil and gas companies seeking to block state lawsuits that hold them liable for billions in climate change damages. The case centers on Boulder, Colorado's lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil, part of a wave of climate litigation in states including California, Hawaii, and New Jersey.

At issue is whether these cases belong in state or federal courts. The companies argue emissions are a national issue requiring federal jurisdiction, where similar suits have been dismissed. Trump's Justice Department supported the companies, warning that allowing state courts to proceed means 'every locality in the country could sue essentially anyone in the world for contributing to global climate change.' Trump has criticized these lawsuits in an executive order.

Boulder's attorneys counter that states have long addressed in-state harms from out-of-state conduct, comparing it to cases involving defective automobiles or asbestos. The lawsuits seek damages to help pay for rebuilding after wildfires, rising sea levels, and severe storms that governments say were worsened by climate change.

Trump threatened Monday to impose higher tariffs on countries that 'play games' with trade deals following the Supreme Court's decision to strike down his sweeping global levies. The European Union suspended ratification of its summer deal, while India deferred talks to finalize a recent agreement. The UK pressed US officials for clarity on whether its negotiated 10% rate would hold under Trump's new 15% global tariff.

The chaos stems from Friday's Supreme Court ruling that invalidated tariffs Trump imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump responded by announcing a 10% global tariff using Section 122, quickly raising it to 15%. Many countries sought lower tariff rates last year in exchange for investment promises or concessions to American firms, but now question whether those deals remain valid.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer insisted the White House would 'stand by' its trade deals and expects partners to do the same. The new 15% tariff, set to take effect Tuesday, will stand alongside previously announced tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars that were unaffected by the court ruling. Stock markets fell Monday as analysts expect trade uncertainty to continue.

The State Department ordered nonessential diplomats and family members to leave the US Embassy in Beirut on Monday, citing the security situation as tensions with Iran escalate. About 50 staff members were ordered to depart, with 32 personnel and families flying out Monday. The embassy will remain operational with essential staff, though remaining personnel face travel restrictions within Lebanon.

The move comes as Trump's apparent 10-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear agreement approaches its end this week. The president has built up the largest US military presence in the Middle East in decades, with a second aircraft carrier heading to the region. Trump said Thursday the world would know within 10 days whether a deal would be reached or whether the US would attack Iran, though he's also said he's considering a limited strike during negotiations.

Oman's foreign minister said the US and Iran plan to hold their next nuclear talks Thursday in Geneva. Iran's foreign minister told CBS he believes there's still a 'good chance' for a diplomatic solution and that negotiators are working on deal elements. Changes in Beirut embassy staffing have historically signaled potential US or Israeli military action, given Iran's influence with Hezbollah and the history of attacks on American facilities in Lebanon.

US District Judge Aileen Cannon permanently barred Monday the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump's classified documents investigation. The ruling blocks public access to findings from the probe into Trump's storage of sensitive documents at Mar-a-Lago and alleged obstruction of government efforts to retrieve them.

Cannon, a Trump appointee who dismissed the case last year after ruling Smith was unlawfully appointed, said releasing the report would present 'manifest injustice' to Trump and his two co-defendants. She wrote that Smith 'acting without lawful authority, obtained an indictment' and that the defendants 'still enjoy the presumption of innocence held sacrosanct in our constitutional order.'

Attorney General Pam Bondi had already determined the report was 'an internal deliberative communication that is privileged and confidential.' First Amendment groups and watchdog organizations seeking the report's release criticized the decision. The Trump administration has characterized Smith's investigation as politically motivated and said the report belongs in the 'dustbin of history.'

Panama issued a decree Monday ordering occupation of two ports at the Panama Canal's entrances, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's operating concession unconstitutional. The decree authorizes the Panama Maritime Authority to occupy the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals for 'reasons of urgent social interest,' including all equipment such as cranes, vehicles, and computer systems.

The ports became caught in US-China rivalry after Trump accused China of 'running the Panama Canal.' CK Hutchison was set to sell the ports to a consortium including US investment firm BlackRock, but China's government halted the deal. Panama's Supreme Court struck down the law approving the concession in January, invalidating an extension granted in 2021 and stripping operations of legal basis.

Hong Kong's government lodged 'stern protests' with Panama's consulate Tuesday, and China's Foreign Ministry said it would 'firmly safeguard the company's legitimate rights.' CK Hutchison started arbitration proceedings under International Chamber of Commerce rules. Panama said Danish group APM Terminals would temporarily administer the ports while a new contract is awarded.

Three Senate Democrats unveiled legislation Monday requiring the government to refund roughly $175 billion in tariff revenues the Supreme Court ruled were illegally collected under Trump's orders. The bill would require US Customs and Border Protection to issue refunds over 180 days, pay interest on refunded amounts, and prioritize small businesses.

Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Jeanne Shaheen said the measure aims to repair damage from what Democrats are calling Trump's 'illegal tax scheme.' The bill is unlikely to become law but signals how Democrats plan to pressure the administration ahead of November's midterm elections, arguing Trump illegally raised taxes and refuses to return the money.

The Trump administration maintains refunds should be decided through litigation rather than government action. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN it's 'bad framing' to raise refund questions since the Supreme Court didn't address the issue. A White House spokesman called Democratic efforts 'pathetic but unsurprising,' saying Trump 'used tariffs to actually deliver where Democrats could only talk.'