Sunday, June 15, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Palantir's $3.9 Billion Government Surveillance Empire Under Trump
Peter Thiel's Palantir Technologies projects $3.9 billion revenue for 2025, with government contracts comprising 42% of total revenue. The company's stock surged 64% this year as Trump administration awards expanded surveillance contracts, including a $30 million ICE deal for real-time migrant tracking.
Trumps $45 Million Military Parade Amid National Tragedy
While Minnesota grieved three assassinated officials, Trump held a $47M military parade in Washington featuring 2,400 troops, 12 fighter jets, and 47 tanks—drawing only 8,000 spectators and hundreds of "No Kings" protesters who called it "authoritarian theater."
Manifesto & FBI Manhunt Following Minnesota Assassination
FBI raids uncovered a 73-name assassination list targeting Democratic officials, including specific home addresses and family photos, leading to Minnesota's largest manhunt before the gunman's arrest at a remote cabin 127 miles from Minneapolis.
Capitol Hill Reassesses Lawmaker Security After Attack
The Minnesota attack prompted immediate Capitol Police budget discussions and renewed calls for expanded protection for governors, mayors, and local officials after a 340% increase in threats against elected officials since 2020.
GOP Mixed Response to Political Violence in Minnesota
While Sen. Marco Rubio and Rep. Mike Johnson quickly condemned the Minneapolis assassination, 47 House Republicans stayed silent for over 48 hours, and several GOP social media accounts amplified conspiracy theories claiming the attack was "staged by Democrats."
Trump Inc: White House Staff Cash In on Presidential Access and Influence
Financial disclosures reveal Trump's crypto advisor David Sacks earned $12M from companies seeking favorable regulations, while Trump family businesses received $47M from foreign entities in 2024—all while Trump eliminated the Office of Government Ethics and blocked disclosure requirements.
Macron Opposes Trump's Greenland Annexation Threats in Arctic Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland June 15, 2025, declaring the territory "not for sale" after President Trump threatened to use military force to annex the Danish territory for U.S. national security purposes.
Canada Hosts Fractured G7 as Trump Alienates Democratic Allies
Group of Seven leaders gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta on June 15, 2025, with host Canada abandoning the traditional joint communiqué due to irreconcilable differences over Trump's tariffs and Middle East policy.
Trump Approval Rating Hits Second-Term Low as Policies Backfire
President Trump's approval rating dropped to 39-47% in June 2025 polls, with particularly steep declines on economic issues as tariffs, federal job cuts, and immigration policies create widespread disruption across key swing states.