Recent U.S. Political Events Quiz

30 vocabulary flashcards covering major figures, events, legislation, court cases, and media narratives from the lecture notes on recent U.S. political developments.

Senator Alex Padilla

Democratic U.S. senator from California who was tackled and handcuffed by federal agents after questioning a Homeland Security press conference.

Homeland Security Press Conference Incident

Event where agents removed andrestrained Senator Padilla, later calling him “disrespectful” on social media.

Secretary Kristi Noem

Homeland Security secretary who led the immigration-raids press conference where Padilla was detained.

“No Kings” Day Protest

Nationwide demonstration against Trump held on the president’s birthday, drawing 5 million participants across 2,100 rallies.

250th Anniversary U.S. Army Parade

Controversial Washington, D.C. military parade that under-performed with fewer than 200,000 attendees and low enthusiasm.

Iran Airstrikes (2025)

First direct U.S. strikes on Iran, targeting Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities alongside Israel.

Fordo Nuclear Site

Deep-underground Iranian enrichment facility struck by U.S. B-2 bombers in the 2025 raid.

Bunker-buster Bomb

Specialized ordnance capable of penetrating fortified underground facilities like Iran’s nuclear sites.

Proposed War Powers Resolution (2025)

Legislation meant to block U.S. entry into the Iran conflict without congressional approval; the House never voted before the strikes.

Representative Thomas Massie

Libertarian-leaning Republican who labeled the Iran strikes “unconstitutional.”

Big Beautiful Bill (BBB)

President Trump’s sweeping legislative package bundling immigration, infrastructure, and national-security measures.

Elon Musk’s Critique of BBB

Business leader’s opposition, claiming the bill overspends on AI and defense.

Streamlined Deportation Procedures

Portion of BBB aimed at faster removals and expanded ICE facilities.

“America First” Sourcing Requirement

BBB clause mandating domestically sourced materials for infrastructure projects.

Medicaid Cuts in BBB

Projected reductions in government aid programs that help offset the bill’s new spending.

Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Decision

Ruling limiting lower-court power to block Trump’s order denying citizenship to babies without at least one U.S.-citizen parent.

Nationwide (Universal) Injunction

Court order that applies across the entire country; three federal judges issued such injunctions against Trump’s birthright order.

Judge Joseph Laplante

Federal judge who issued a narrower injunction protecting only plaintiffs in the birthright-citizenship lawsuits.

Fourteenth Amendment Conflict

Constitutional question of whether Trump’s birthright-citizenship order violates the amendment’s citizenship clause.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Independent agency whose three Biden-appointed commissioners were fired by the Trump administration in 2025.

Humphrey’s Executor v. United States (1935)

Precedent protecting independent-agency officials from removal without cause; cited to reinstate CPSC commissioners.

Wilcox Precedent

Case cited by Trump’s lawyers to justify removing CPSC commissioners despite statutory protection.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh

Supreme Court justice who favored pausing the order to reinstate fired CPSC officials and accelerating full review.

Mike Johnson

Republican House member who ended the congressional recess amid pressure to release Jeffrey Epstein documents.

Epstein Files Controversy

Debate over making public documents related to the late financier’s sex-trafficking case.

Transparency Debate in Congress

Clash between lawmakers over how and when to release sensitive Epstein materials, with Johnson accusing Democrats of hypocrisy.

Media Coverage Bias

Pattern where center outlets stressed political risk, right-leaning outlets emphasized constitutional issues, and left-leaning outlets highlighted humanitarian or transparency concerns.