Thursday, July 24, 2025
All civic learning topics for this day
Today's Topics
UN reports 59,866 Gaza deaths as humanitarian crisis deepens
The Gaza Health Ministry reported July 24, 2025, that 59,866 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, with over 1,000 shot dead while trying to get food aid since May. Israeli forces killed 115 Palestinians in a single day on July 20, including 92 shot at food distribution points. Amnesty International's December 2024 report concluded Israel is committing genocide, while 80 children have died from starvation and 3.4 million face epidemic diseases.
NIH freezes Columbia grants citing Title VI campus violations
The Trump administration froze $400 million in federal research funding to Columbia University in March 2025 over campus protests, citing allegations of antisemitism. The action represents the government using funding threats to pressure universities into policy changes, with Columbia still negotiating to restore the grants that affect cancer research and other critical studies.
SSA Inspector General probes systematic service degradation
Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter July 24, 2025, demanding Social Security's inspector general audit the agency's customer service collapse under Commissioner Frank Bisignano's Trump-ordered reorganization. Warren seeks investigation into worsening wait times and service metrics as the administration's restructuring leaves millions unable to access benefits or get assistance.
Gallup registers 37% presidential approval amid independent defection
President Trump's job approval rating fell to 37% in late July 2025, marking the lowest point of his second term according to Gallup polling released July 24. The decline stems from independent voters souring on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, which cut healthcare and nutrition programs to fund tax cuts. Trump's second-quarter average of 40% falls well below the 59% typical for presidents at this stage.
USDA implements RIF forcing 2,600 relocations under reorganization
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced July 24, 2025 that USDA will relocate 2,600 of its 4,600 Washington-based employees to five regional hubs in Utah, Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, and North Carolina. The department will shutter its historic Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and eliminate multiple regional offices while 15,364 employees have already accepted "voluntary" retirement buyouts. Union leaders call it a ploy to force resignations without paying severance.
Fed Board defends Martin Building renovation to House Financial Services
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell clashed with President Trump during a July 24, 2025 tour of the Fed's $2.5 billion headquarters renovation. The project—featuring Italian marble and gold-plated fixtures—has ballooned to 10 times original estimates. Trump publicly challenged Powell over costs during the tour, despite his own appointees approving the luxury upgrades in 2023, creating a spectacle that sent markets tumbling over Fed independence concerns.
House Freedom Caucus pressures Speaker on Epstein grand jury release
Congressional pressure intensified July 24, 2025 as House Republicans demanded more Jeffrey Epstein documents be released, with Rep. Thomas Massie forcing leadership to end recess early to prevent a floor vote. Deputy AG Todd Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell while Rep. Eric Burlison revealed Epstein calls dominate constituent contacts "500 to one." Even Trump loyalists like Rep. Ralph Norman warned the issue "transcends politics" and involves abuse of minors.
World Court issues landmark advisory opinion on climate obligationsnot binding law
The International Court of Justice delivered a unanimous advisory opinion on July 23, 2025, clarifying that all nations have legal obligations to limit global warming under international law, but the ruling is advisory guidance rather than binding law. The historic case, initiated by Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) from University of the South Pacific and championed by Vanuatu with support from 132 countries, establishes authoritative legal precedent that climate activists worldwide can reference in domestic court challenges.