Rachel Abrams

Like, is it kind of hard to disentangle a distinction between the two?

It seems worth noting, though, that tariffs does not really seem like something you would deploy to rescue a hostage, but go on.

He's basically saying this is a slippery slope, right?

It feels worth pointing out that this conversation we're having about handing the executive branch power and whether this is a slippery slope is not happening in a vacuum.

It's happening at a time when the country is in the

President Trump is seizing too much power in the executive branch in all different arenas.

And so I just wonder if you feel like this particular discussion is loaded or what kind of broader context you, Adam, are applying to it.

And when can we expect a decision in this case?

As we said in the beginning of the conversation, President Trump's tariffs are kind of the signature of a second administration.

And so if the court did not rule in his favor, that feels like a hugely significant blow to his policy agenda.

And the timing of these oral arguments can't help but feel a bit notable, given that they came one day after the Democrats had blowouts up and down the ballots in all these different states.

And also, this is all coming in the midst of a record-breaking government shutdown.

And so taken together, this week feels a little bit like a referendum on the president's agenda in some way.

I mean, I know that these are disconnected, but that's a bit how it feels this week.

Adam, thank you so much.

Here's what else you need to know today.

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it would cut 10% of air traffic in 40 of the nation's busiest markets in a move that analysts said would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights while the administration tries to force Democrats to end the government shutdown.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the cancellations were an attempt to, quote, alleviate the pressure on air traffic controllers.

They've not been paid since mid-October.

Duffy said that the affected markets would be announced on Thursday and the cuts would go into effect on Friday.