The Excerpt

A foundational principle of the U.S. Constitution is the idea that no one is above the law. And yet, the power of the presidential pardon, based on the embrace of the concepts of mercy and amnesty, essentially guarantees that, in fact, a select few are actually not held accountable for crimes they have been found guilty of. President Joe Biden’s sweeping pardon of his son Hunter, after repeatedly promising he wouldn’t do it, is a case in point. What can the historical use of this awesome power tell us about how we should judge this political inflection point? USA TODAY Justice Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to dig into this complex and politically fraught topic.

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USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Bart Jansen looks at the decision by FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign.

House Republicans pass a defense policy bill that includes a contentious provision to ban certain types of medical care for transgender children of military service members.

USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Chris Quintana discusses how post-grad football lures players with a second shot at glory.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends self-tests to screen for cervical cancer.

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Approximately 800,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the U.S. People living with chronic pain or in need of a better solution are taking the chance to go under the knife for a better quality of life. But it's an invasive procedure, often involving a several-days-long stay in the hospital followed by 6 months to a year of physical therapy. But what if there is another road to knee recovery, a less invasive one with a faster route to getting back to doing the things you love? CartiHeal implants, made from coral exoskeletons may just be the magic bullet for thousands whose knees are only partially damaged. Dr. Cassandra Lee, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at UC Davis, joins The Excerpt to discuss new treatment options.

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USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany takes a closer look at the fascination some have over a murder suspect.

President-elect Donald Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James are sparring over the $485 million fraud case. Plus, Manhattan prosecutors urged a New York criminal court to keep Trump's hush money case alive.

Syria's interim leader says the country faces a lack of foreign currency.

USA TODAY Money Reporter Bailey Schulz discusses 'dry promotions,' and what employees can do about them.

77 Nobel Prize winners ask the Senate to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination.

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A 26-year-old suspect has been charged with murder in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson.

USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses how President-elect Donald Trump's takeover on foreign policy has begun.

The Supreme Court rejects a case pitting the 'spirit of Aloha' against gun owners' rights.

USA TODAY Trump Reporter Zac Anderson talks about whether Donald Trump can use Jill Biden's image to sell perfume.

Will the FDA ban red dye 3?

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Rebels have taken over Syria. What's next?

USA TODAY Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter Sudiksha Kochi takes a look at the possibility of bipartisanship, as some Democrats signal support for certain Trump picks and initiatives.

Donald Trump says he'll begin pardoning Jan. 6 rioters on the 'first day' of his second term.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele explains how some universities are shifting guidance for students potentially impacted by Trump immigration policies.

Officials make it clear - some unpasteurized milk contains the bird flu virus.

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Hidden beneath Earth’s surface are caverns and pathways that hold the secrets of our planet’s very beginnings. Even after decades of exploration, there are still new ecosystems and signs of past lives yet to be discovered. Trekking deep into the earth is not for the faint of heart. Enter a cohort of maverick scientists who strap on a harness and oftentimes scuba gear, and delve deep into the belly of the Earth. Who are these cave explorers, what have they found, and what do they still hope to discover? Phil Short, experienced cave diver and Research Diving and Training Lead at DEEP, joins The Excerpt to take us down below, back in time and into the future.

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The search continues for a gunman in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Experts say the killer was maybe a professional. Meanwhile, many online have shown little sympathy. Why?

Is the labor market bouncing back?

Palm Beach Post Politics and Growth Editor Antonio Fins talks about Mar-a-Lago and how President-elect Donald Trump uses the property as a political hub.

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi discusses whether Donald Trump's election win will help him with his $600 million civil losses.

It's the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. See photos of the attack that brought the U.S. into World War II.

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The search continues for the shooter in this week's brazen New York killing.

Three U.S. Army soldiers stationed in Texas have been charged in an alleged human smuggling operation involving noncitizens.

It's been a historic week for Bitcoin.

USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé discusses what it really means to live paycheck to paycheck.

China's ban on exports of gallium, germanium and more could cost the U.S. billions.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about the return of wolves to California.

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Gen Z is the first generation of digital natives, young people who are literally growing up on social media. It’s where they explore their self-identities, where they make and lose new friends. During the pandemic, it was in fact the only place where they could socialize. But it’s also where they are exposed to dangerous levels of toxic culture, whether that’s through body shaming, overly sexualized content or cyberbullying. Director Lauren Greenfield captured all of this and more in an eye-opening 5-part docuseries on FX called “Social Studies” by following a group of teenagers who gave her an inside look into their online lives. She joins us on The Excerpt to discuss how social media has shaped the adults these teens are becoming.

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