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Federal Deployment of Troops to Los Angeles Sparks Legal Challenge Over Executive Authority: In response to widespread protests related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. The deployment was carried out without the formal consent of the state of California, prompting Governor Gavin Newsom to file a legal challenge questioning the action’s legality. The federal government cited Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code, which is known as National Guard in Federal service: call. It outlines the conditions under which the President can call the National Guard into Federal service. Title 10 indicates the President is able to do so in three situations: 1) to repel an invasion; 2) to suppress a rebellion; or 3) if the President is unable to execute the laws of the United States with regular forces. Governor Newsom’s lawsuit contends that President Trump overstepped his legal authority.
Source 1: Fox News, Source 2: CNN
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U.S. and China Reach Preliminary Trade Agreement: On June 11, 2025, President Trump announced a preliminary trade agreement with China. The deal includes provisions for China to export rare earth minerals essential to the U.S. automotive industry, while the U.S. agrees to ease access for Chinese students to American universities. President Trump stated that the agreement would result in US tariffs set at 55% and China tariffs at 10%.
Source 1: Reuters, Source 2: Newsmax
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Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg Resigns: David Hogg, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), announced on June 12, 2025, that he would not seek re-election to his position. Hogg's decision follows internal disagreements within the party regarding his support for progressive primary challenges against incumbent Democrats. Party leadership had expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, leading to a vote to redo the election that originally appointed Hogg. His departure highlights ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about its direction and strategy.
Source 1: ABC News, Source 2: New York Post
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| Subscribe to our weekly civic education email, "Civic Currents" | | | | | Congress | Congress – House Passed HR 884 – To prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia and to repeal the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 | Congress – House Passed HR 2096 – Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act | Congress – House Passed HR 2966 – American Entrepreneurs First Act | | State | Texas (TX) – Senate Passed HB 1106 – Specifies that Abuse Does Not Include the Refusal by a Parent or Guardian to Affirm a Child's Preferred Gender Identity, Name, or Sexual Orientation | Nevada (NV) – Senate Passed AB 499 – Requires Voter Photo Identification and Reforms to Mail Voting and Voter Registration Systems | Iowa (IA) – House Passed HF 571 – Authorizes Medical Practitioners, Health Care Institutions, or Health Care Payors to Refuse to Participate in or Pay for a Health Care Service that Violates Their Conscience
| | | Democrat Mikie Sherrill won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday for governor of New Jersey. Sherrill, who is a United States representative for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District and former Assistant United States attorney and lieutenant in the United States Navy, won a competitive 6-way primary for the nomination to succeed Democratic Governor Phil Murphy this November. | | Republican Jack Ciattarelli won the Republican nomination on Tuesday for governor of New Jersey. A former member of the state assembly and Republican nominee for governor in 2021, Ciattarelli is mounting a third campaign for the role, now running against Representative Mikie Sherrill. | | |
Next week, Virginia will be holding its primary elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates. Click on the link below to view the candidates running:
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For information on registering to vote and how to contact your local election offices, click the following links below:
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Additionally, there were special elections this past week in Florida, Massachusetts, and Oklahoma, as well as the regularly scheduled elections in New Jersey. Click on the link below to view the results:
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(Glossary)
Gubernatorial Primary Election: is a preliminary election in which registered voters select their preferred candidate within a political party to run for the office of governor in the upcoming general election. This process determines each party's official nominee for the gubernatorial race.
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🎉 This Week’s Quiz Spotlight!
📍 Holly Oppelt – Iowa
📍 JJ DI Martino – North Carolina
📍 L Ford – Indiana
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