1. LANGUAGE SHIFT

The Trump administration has introduced new rules that limit or discourage the use of certain words in government documents and websites. As part of an effort to remove “woke” language, federal agencies have flagged hundreds of words, including “diversity,” “equality,” “climate change,” and “gender identity.” Some words have been removed entirely from official government websites, while others have been flagged for review when used in grant proposals or contracts. The administration argues that these changes reflect its policy priorities, such as focusing on merit over diversity initiatives and limiting discussions of race, gender, and climate policies. However, critics believe that removing these words silences important conversations about social issues, environmental concerns, and equal rights. These word restrictions affect many areas of government, including education, healthcare, and scientific research. Although every presidential administration adjusts the language used in official documents, this shift represents a major departure from previous policies. Some worry that by limiting the use of these terms, the government is avoiding discussions on important topics, rather than allowing open debate. Language plays a powerful role in government, laws, and public discussions. When certain words are removed or discouraged, it can change how people think about and discuss important topics. For this activity, choose one word or phrase from the list that has been flagged for removal, such as “equality,” “climate change,” or “inclusion.” Research why this word is important in government and public policy and how removing it from official documents might affect laws, funding, or social programs. In a 200-word summary, explain what the word means and why it is important in government discussions. Then, describe how removing the word might change policies or affect certain groups of people. Finally, share your opinion—should the government limit the use of certain words? Why or why not? Consider how these changes might impact free speech, education, or access to important information. After writing, discuss your ideas with the class. Think about how words influence the way governments and people think about important issues and whether limiting language affects democracy and public understanding.

2. TENSIONS RISING

A heated argument erupted during a Cabinet meeting at the White House as officials clashed with Elon Musk over his aggressive cost-cutting measures. Musk, who has been leading a government efficiency effort to eliminate waste and unnecessary spending, criticized Secretary of State Marco Rubio for not firing enough employees. Rubio fired back, explaining that 1,500 State Department employees had already retired, and questioned whether Musk wanted him to rehire them just to fire them again. President Donald Trump eventually stepped in, praising Rubio’s work and calling for a more careful approach to government cuts. This meeting marked the first sign that Trump may be limiting Musk’s influence. While the president still supports Musk’s goal of cutting government waste, he told Cabinet members that from now on, they would be in charge, and Musk’s team would only advise. However, tensions remained high. Musk also argued with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy about whether air traffic controllers were being fired unfairly. Musk denied these claims, but Duffy insisted that he had stopped such layoffs from happening. The debate also affected the Department of Veterans Affairs, which serves millions of former soldiers. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins warned that cutting too many jobs could harm veterans, an important group of Trump’s supporters. Trump agreed that the “smart” employees should stay, while the unproductive ones should go. Despite this decision, it is unclear how long the new arrangement will last, as Musk is still one of Trump’s biggest financial supporters and controls the social media platform X, giving him significant power. The government often tries to reduce wasteful spending, but cutting jobs too aggressively can have serious consequences for essential programs and public services. In this activity, imagine you are an advisor to the president, helping to decide how to cut costs while protecting important government services. Think about which types of jobs or programs should be protected and why they are necessary. Consider how the government can reduce waste without firing essential workers, such as through better budgeting, reorganizing agencies, or cutting unnecessary expenses rather than jobs. Also, reflect on whether private companies, like Elon Musk’s team, should be involved in these decisions or if the government should handle these matters internally. Write a short proposal outlining your plan for balancing government efficiency with job security. Explain how your approach would save money while ensuring that vital services remain intact. Do you think government cuts should focus more on efficiency, or should protecting jobs be the top priority? How do these decisions impact ordinary citizens and the future of public services?

3. EDUCATION UNDER CONSIDERATION

President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would instruct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. However, because the department was created by Congress in 1979, Trump cannot eliminate it without congressional approval. No modern president has ever tried to unilaterally close a federal agency, making this a major political and legal battle. The Education Department is responsible for distributing federal funding to public schools, especially for low-income students, students with disabilities, and other education programs. Teachers’ unions and education advocates argue that closing the department would hurt students and lead to confusion in funding and regulation. The American Federation of Teachers has promised to fight against the closure, saying it would be a huge mistake to eliminate programs that help millions of students. Trump, on the other hand, has called the Education Department a “big con job” and believes education should be handled entirely by individual states. His administration argues that the department wastes money and adds unnecessary regulations. While Trump’s executive order could weaken the agency, Congress would still have the final say in whether the department is fully dismantled. Education is one of the most important parts of government, and there has always been a debate over whether the federal government or individual states should control it. Some believe states should have full control over schools, while others think the federal government should ensure fair education for all students. Write an article that summarizes what the U.S. Department of Education does and what the pros and cons are of giving states full control over education. Use at least two sources (government websites, news articles, or education reports) to support your argument.

4. CONTEMPLATING CONSULATES

The U.S. State Department is planning to close several consulates around the world and reduce the number of people working in diplomatic missions. This is part of President Trump’s plan to shrink the government and focus more on an “America First” approach. The decision could affect how the U.S. works with other countries, as consulates play an important role in helping American citizens abroad, issuing visas, and gathering important information. Some experts are concerned that closing consulates could hurt national security and make it harder for the U.S. to compete with countries like China, which now has more diplomatic offices than the U.S. Many people working in these offices will also lose their jobs, which could weaken America’s presence in global affairs. The CIA, which places intelligence officers in U.S. embassies and consulates, is also worried that these cuts will make it harder to monitor important global events. The State Department has already seen many employees resign, and new hiring has slowed down. In addition to closing consulates, the government is considering cutting up to 20 percent of the department’s budget. Some lawmakers support these changes, saying the government needs to cut costs, while others argue that diplomacy is key to protecting U.S. interests around the world. The State Department and its consulates are important for U.S. foreign relations, but not everyone understands their full role. Research and write a short summary on what diplomats do and why their work matters. Use at least one reliable source (such as a government or news website) in your summary.

5. CENSURE DEBATE

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, after he disrupted President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress. During Trump’s address, Green stood up, shouted that Trump had “no mandate,” and refused to sit down when ordered. Speaker Mike Johnson had Green removed from the chamber, and Republicans quickly introduced a resolution to formally censure him. As Johnson read the resolution, Green and several Democrats began singing “We Shall Overcome,” a song from the Civil Rights Movement. This led to shouting between Republicans and Democrats, and the session had to be paused. In the end, the censure vote passed 224-198, with all Republicans in favor and ten Democrats joining them. Even after being censured, Green said he had no regrets and would do it again to stand up for Medicaid, a healthcare program he believed Trump would cut. Some Democrats supported him, arguing that Republicans have also disrupted speeches in the past but were not punished the same way. Others believed his actions were disrespectful and went against the rules of Congress. Censure is a formal way for the House to show strong disapproval of a member’s actions, but it does not remove them from office. Green is now the 28th person in U.S. history to be censured, and some Republicans are pushing for more punishment, such as removing him from his committee assignments. This event is part of a larger trend of increasing political tensions in Congress. In recent years, more lawmakers have been censured as both parties struggle with disagreements on decorum, or proper behavior, during official meetings. Some believe that censure is being used unfairly, while others see it as a way to keep order in government. Research a historical political protest where a lawmaker used a public outburst or demonstration to convey their message. You can choose from incidents such as Rep. Joe Wilson shouting “You lie!” during President Obama’s speech in 2009, Speaker Nancy Pelosi tearing up President Trump’s speech in 2020, or Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s protest of Israel’s policies in Congress in 2023. In a 300-word comparison, summarize what happened, the message the politician was trying to send, the consequences they faced, and how their actions compare to Rep. Al Green’s censure. Consider whether similar political protests have been treated equally across party lines.