The Breakdown: Mueller Declines to Clear Pres. Trump of a Crime

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The One Big Thing

Robert Mueller Makes Public Statement, Does Not Clear President Trump Of A Crime

In a rare public statement on Wednesday, Special Counsel Robert Mueller stated that his investigation could not clear President Trump of a crime. "If we had had confidence that the President clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so," Mueller said. He went on to state that charging the President with a crime such as obstruction of justice wasn’t an option due to a Justice Department policy that bars charges against a sitting president. While the statement has reignited the debate among Democrats on whether or not to call for impeachment, President Trump responded by saying “The case is closed! Thank you.” For more context (there is a lot to try and understand) on the Mueller investigation, read Vox’s super helpful explainer.

(Pop) Culture Shock

Blue’s Clues Is Back...With A Filipino American Host!

Who’s clues? Blue’s clues! Nickelodeon’s classic children’s show is back with a brand new look. The studio recently announced that the show, retitled as Blue’s Clues & You, will be hosted by Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz. As Buzzfeed News reports, fans are really excited to see an Asian American man cast in the role. Historically, Asian American actors have been almost invisible on the small screen, with just 2.6% of roles going to Asian actors in 2016. While recent titles featuring East Asian characters such as Crazy Rich Asians and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before have had mainstream success, Dela Cruz’s Filipino heritage is an important step forward for Southeast Asian representation.

The Good News Is...

Google Creates Women’s Soccer Museum To Honor Overlooked Pioneers

Just a week ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (go Team USA!), Google is launching its Offside Museum to honor the unsung heroes and pioneers of women’s soccer. The name refers not just to one of the main soccer rules, but also the fact that women in many countries were banned from participating in the sport until 1979. Even after participation became legal, women have continued to fight against gender discrimination (WTF fact: the 1989 European champions received a tea set as their prize). Most recently, the US team has made headlines for taking the fight for equal pay to court. Women’s soccer has no shortage of incredible figures, so we’re excited to finally see their stories told.

That's What She Said

“I’m not planning to stop encouraging young people to vote and to try to get them to talk about what’s going on in our country. I think that’s one of the most important things I could do.”

-Taylor Swift, speaking on how her upcoming album will have “political undertones.” Last year, the pop singer registered over 100,000 young Americans to vote.

Quick Hitters

Why aren’t more people talking about… a white woman in Mississippi who pulled a gun on a Black couple trying to enjoy a Memorial Day picnic?

Meanwhile, in the Philippines... a new law requires that all high school and college students plant at least 10 trees each before they can graduate.

My hero today is… a four-year-old named Madison Jade, who had a lot to say about the new Aladdin remake’s damsel-in-distress storyline.

I’m obsessed with… Tyler, the Creator’s new album, IGOR. I already had tickets to see him at Firefly next month, but this new album has me ten times more excited.