Current US Politics
In 2025, President Trump imposed broad new tariffs on imports from countries around the world. What is a tariff?
A tax imposed on imported goods
What does NATO stand for?
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Xi Jinping is the leader of which country?
China
The government prevents someone from peacefully criticizing the president. Which amendment does this violate?
First Amendment
What is the most common greenhouse gas emitted by human activities?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
In 2025, the Trump administration made major changes to U.S. immigration enforcement, including expanding deportation efforts. Which federal agency is primarily responsible for immigration enforcement and deportations inside the United States?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
What is an economic sanction?
A penalty or restriction placed on a country, organization, or individual to pressure them to change their behavior.
Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of which country?
United Kingdom
Police search someone's home without a warrant or a valid exception. Which amendment does this violate?
Fourth Amendment
What is the difference between renewable and nonrenewable energy?
Renewable energy sources naturally replenish, while nonrenewable resources are finite and can be depleted.
In 2026, the Supreme Court struck down Trump's broad “Liberation Day” tariffs. What was the central legal issue the Court considered?
Whether the president had the legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the tariffs without specific authorization from Congress
What is the difference between a refugee and an internally displaced person?
A refugee crosses an international border, while an internally displaced person remains within their own country.
Emmanuel Macron is the president of which country?
France
A person accused of a crime refuses to answer a question because their answer could incriminate them. Which amendment?
Fifth Amendment
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living organisms within an ecosystem or across Earth.
In 2026, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to temporarily resume deporting migrants to countries other than their countries of citizenship while the Court considers the case. What constitutional protection was at the center of the lower court's challenge to this policy?
Due process under the Fifth Amendment, particularly whether migrants must receive notice and an opportunity to raise concerns about persecution or torture before being removed to a third country
Why can the United States, Russia, China, France, or the United Kingdom block a substantive UN Security Council resolution?
They are the five permanent members, and each has veto power.
What is the difference between a president and a prime minister in a parliamentary system?
A prime minister is generally the head of government and depends on legislative support, while a president may serve as head of state, head of government, or both depending on the system.
A state government denies someone equal protection under the law because of their race. Which amendment is most directly involved?
Fourteenth Amendment
What is the difference between climate change mitigation and adaptation?
Mitigation addresses the causes of climate change, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation addresses its effects, such as preparing for rising sea levels.
In 2025, Congress passed a major tax and spending bill that was a major priority of the Trump administration. What was the bill commonly known as?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
A UN Security Council resolution receives 14 votes in favor and 1 vote against. The country voting against it is China. Does the resolution pass? Explain.
No. China is a permanent member of the Security Council and can use its veto to block a substantive resolution.
Xi Jinping simultaneously holds three major positions that help explain his power in China. Name 2/3.
President of China, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
A public school punishes a student for wearing a shirt expressing a political opinion. Which Supreme Court case is most relevant to determining whether the school violated the student's First Amendment rights?
Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District
A government creates a system where it sets a maximum amount of pollution allowed, gives companies permits to emit pollution, and allows companies to buy and sell those permits. What environmental policy is this?
Cap-and-trade.