Friday, July 18, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
ODNI Director threatens FISA prosecution of IC officials
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents July 18-23, 2025, claiming "overwhelming evidence" that Obama administration officials "manufactured and politicized intelligence" about Russian 2016 election interference. Gabbard threatened criminal referrals of former CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director James Comey, alleging a "treasonous conspiracy." However, fact-checkers noted her claims rely on misleading interpretations that don't actually contradict the core findings that Russia interfered to help Trump—conclusions supported by a bipartisan 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report and special counsel Durham's four-year investigation that never charged any officials.
Federal Reserve Board defends Eccles Building renovation to Congress
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell defended the $2.5 billion headquarters renovation July 18, 2025, responding to White House criticism that the project costs 10 times original estimates. The renovation features Italian marble and specialized finishes while Trump cuts social programs, with OMB Director Russell Vought accusing Powell of 'fundamental mismanagement.' Ironically, Trump appointees on the Fed board approved the luxury upgrades in 2023, and Trump's own Commission of Fine Arts mandated expensive marble over glass in 2020.
UK Parliament advances voting age reduction in Electoral Reform Bill
Britain's Labour government announced July 17, 2025, plans to lower the voting age to 16, adding 1.5 million young voters to electoral rolls starting with the next general election by 2029. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's proposal builds on successful youth voting trials in Scotland and Wales, where 16-year-olds already vote in devolved elections and show higher turnout rates than first-time voters at 18.
USTR threatens 20% Section 301 tariffs on European Commission
President Trump told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on July 18, 2025, that he wants 20% baseline tariffs on all EU goods from German cars to French wine, the Financial Times reported. European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis warned of immediate retaliation targeting bourbon, motorcycles, and agricultural exports from Republican states.
Congress grants Trump power to claw back $9 billion in spending
The House narrowly passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 by 216-213, authorizing President Trump to rescind $7.9 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This marks the first presidential rescission package Congress approved since fiscal year 1999, when it accepted $16.8 million of President Clinton's proposals. The law resurrects a presidential power dormant for decades, allowing Trump to unilaterally claw back appropriated funds Congress already approved.