Saturday, June 14, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Palantir combines government databases to build complete citizen profiles
Palantir's Gotham and Foundry platforms integrate government databases, social media monitoring, financial records, and location tracking to create comprehensive surveillance profiles. Harvard's Shoshana Zuboff warns this represents "the fusion scenario"—merger of surveillance capitalism with state power.
Press Secretary Leavitt's sharp exchange with White House reporter goes viral
Video of Leavitt's sharp response to a reporter's question went viral, drawing criticism about press treatment.
Rising gas prices pour billions into Putin's war chest against Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned June 14, 2025, that oil prices surging 7% after Israeli strikes on Iran directly strengthen Russia's war effort by increasing the oil revenues that comprise 30% of Moscow's federal budget.
Trump quietly reverses immigration crackdown after industry lobbying
President Trump ordered ICE to pause raids on farms, hotels, and restaurants on June 14, 2025, after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins lobbied against Stephen Miller's demand for 3,000 daily arrests that was depleting critical workforce sectors.
Trump gives 36 countries 60-day travel restriction ultimatum
The Trump administration sent a leaked State Department memo giving 36 countries a 60-day ultimatum to meet new vetting requirements or face travel restrictions, potentially affecting millions of visa applicants.
Elon Musk bypasses Iranian government censorship with Starlink
Elon Musk activated Starlink satellite internet service in Iran on June 14, 2025, circumventing government-imposed internet restrictions following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Study finds peaceful protests increase vote share while violence backfires
Princeton researcher Omar Wasow's landmark study found peaceful protests increased Democratic vote share while violent incidents shifted voters toward Republicans. Hong Kong University's Francis Lee documented "be water" decentralized tactics that sustained 2019 democracy protests. Crowd Counting Consortium data shows 15-26 million Americans participated in 2020 BLM protests, with 93% remaining peaceful despite media focus on violence.
Trump holds military parade on his 79th birthday for 250th anniversary
The Washington, D.C. parade featured 6,600 troops, tanks, aircraft and heavy equipment to celebrate Flag Day, the Army’s 250th anniversary, and Trump’s 79th birthday.
Minnesota lawmakers killed in politically motivated shootings
A gunman disguised as a police officer fatally shot Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in Brooklyn Park, while Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in Champlin. Investigators found a manifesto, “No Kings” flyers, and the suspect—57‑year‑old Vance Luther Boelter—was identified as a Trump supporter by his roommate.
Iran cancels nuclear talks following Israeli airstrikes
Iran’s Foreign Minister confirmed the cancellation of planned nuclear negotiations in Oman following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian sites.
Nationwide protests erupt against Trump's military parade plans
Organized by the 50501 Movement, around 2,000 protests across 50 states opposed Trump’s military parade. Several Minnesota events were canceled following the shootings.
Trump threatens Iran with military strikes over stalled nuclear negotiations
President Trump called Iran’s move “ignoring chance after chance” and warned of consequences for abandoning negotiations.