July 29

DOJ finds UCLA violated Jewish students' civil rights and proposes a $1B settlement

The Department of Justice announced that UCLA had violated the civil rights of Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, citing the university's response to campus protests. The DOJ proposed a settlement requiring UCLA to pay $1 billion and implement major policy changes. UCLA called the penalty unprecedented and said it planned to contest the findings, which civil liberties groups said conflated political protest with illegal discrimination.

Vance headlines an RNC fundraiser in Jackson Hole, raising $2 million for Senate races

Vice President JD Vance headlined a Republican National Committee fundraiser in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on July 29, 2025, raising over $2 million for the party's 2026 Senate campaign fund. Under FEC rules, the vice president may attend party fundraisers without using federal resources; the Jackson Hole event drew Western energy industry donors and Republican megadonors as the RNC built a war chest for competitive Senate races.

House Oversight rejects Maxwell immunity request before testimony

The House Oversight Committee rejected Maxwell request for immunity and other conditions before testimony. The rejection kept the committee subpoena in place while making clear that lawmakers would not accept her proposed terms for appearing.

Twenty-two states sue USDA over SNAP recipient surveillance

A coalition of 22 state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit challenging a USDA directive requiring states to share personal data on SNAP food assistance recipients with federal immigration authorities. The states argued the directive violated the Privacy Act, exceeded USDA statutory authority, and would chill participation in a critical nutrition program. Millions of eligible families were expected to disenroll out of fear of immigration consequences.

Vance appears at a private GOP megadonor retreat in Big Sky, Montana

Vice President JD Vance appeared at a private Republican megadonor retreat at Big Sky ski resort in Montana on July 29, 2025, alongside Republican senators and House members. The retreat, organized through a Republican-aligned fundraising network, brought together six- and seven-figure donors to discuss policy priorities and receive direct access to elected officials—a standard practice for major parties to cultivate high-dollar donors.