Saturday, July 19, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against Bob Woodward over interview tapes
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed President Trump's defamation lawsuit against journalist Bob Woodward on July 19, 2025, ruling that reporters can publish authorized interviews in commercial audiobooks. Trump sued the veteran Washington Post reporter for including their recorded conversations in his audiobook, claiming the tapes were "stolen" despite granting the interviews.
EPA Director Lee Zeldin fires 1,200 scientists, shuts down toxics research office
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin eliminated the Office of Research and Development on July 19, 2025, terminating 1,200 scientists who studied drinking water safety, air pollution, and cancer-causing chemicals. The closure follows Trump's executive order to cut EPA staff by 30% and ends five decades of research that prevented an estimated 200,000 premature deaths annually.
California sheriffs push back against DOJ data subpoenas
In July 2025, Los Angeles and San Francisco sheriffs Robert Luna and Paul Miyamoto publicly resisted the Justice Department’s request for noncitizen inmate records, citing state sanctuary laws. They signaled legal action rather than compliance, escalating federal-state tensions over immigration enforcement. Their stance highlights how local law enforcement can defend community trust and legal protections.
Justice Department demands immigrant detention data from California
In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice requested California county sheriffs provide details on noncitizen inmates, including crimes and release dates, to prioritize federal removals. Sheriffs cite state sanctuary laws that bar sharing such information and may face subpoenas if they do not comply. The request underscores tensions over federal immigration enforcement and local autonomy.
Banks warn of trillions fleeing to stablecoins under GENIUS Act
After the House passed the GENIUS Act on July 17, 2025, major banks cautioned that stablecoins could siphon off trillions in uninsured deposits, threatening traditional lending models. The new law’s reserve and dual-supervision rules may give nonbank issuers access to Federal Reserve facilities, altering liquidity flows. These shifts could reshape deposit insurance frameworks and monetary policy transmission.
Congress rescinds $9B for public broadcasting and foreign aid
On July 2025, Republican-led Congress passed a rescissions bill canceling $9 billion in existing appropriations, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $7.9 billion for foreign aid programs. The bill now awaits the president’s signature and represents a rarely used maneuver that shifts budget authority toward the executive. This could trigger station closures, service cutbacks in rural areas, and gaps in global health and humanitarian missions.
Trump enacts GENIUS Act to regulate U.S. dollar stablecoins
On July 17, 2025, President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law, creating the first comprehensive federal framework for U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoins. The law mandates reserve disclosures, annual audits for large issuers, and sets new dual-supervision rules for banks and fintech firms. It aims to boost consumer confidence but shifts oversight dynamics between the Treasury, Federal Reserve, and private issuers.
House shifts spending power to President with $9B rescissions
On July 18, 2025, the House approved a rescissions package 216–213 to reclaim $9 billion from existing federal appropriations—the first presidential-requested cut in decades. The measure transfers greater budgetary authority to the executive branch and sets a precedent for future unilateral spending adjustments. Local broadcasters and aid recipients face funding losses unless the president vetoes or modifies the request.
House restores $400M for PEPFAR amid $9B funding cuts
On July 17, 2025, the House approved a $9 billion rescissions bill while carving out a $400 million restoration for PEPFAR HIV/AIDS programs. Debate over releasing Jeffrey Epstein documents overshadowed the vote, leading to a nonbinding resolution urging transparency. This illustrates how legislative negotiations can redirect funding even amid broad cutbacks.