1. CRACKING DOWN IN COLORADO

The Trump administration has sued the state of Colorado and the city of Denver, accusing them of blocking federal immigration enforcement with local sanctuary laws. These laws limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as refusing to hold people based only on immigration status or sharing certain information. Colorado and Denver leaders say these policies build trust in immigrant communities and help public safety. The lawsuit is part of a larger national push by the Trump administration to pressure cities and states to help with deportations and to punish those that don’t cooperate. Local officials say they already work with immigration agencies in some ways, but they want to protect basic rights and access to services for all residents. Imagine you are a reporter for a student newspaper in Colorado. Write a short article (1–2 paragraphs) explaining both sides of the lawsuit the Trump administration has filed against Colorado and Denver. Be sure to explain what sanctuary policies are, why the federal government wants to get rid of them, and why local leaders say those policies matter to their communities. Use specific examples from the article to support each side’s point of view.

2. BUDGET REDO

President Trump has released a new budget plan proposing $163 billion in cuts to federal programs, aiming to reduce the role of the government and shift resources toward defense and border security. The plan would slash funding for health, education, housing, science, and environmental protection, including deep cuts to agencies like the CDC and the EPA. Programs that help low-income Americans — such as rental assistance and heating aid — would also be reduced or eliminated. While the Department of Homeland Security and the military would see major funding increases, many lawmakers from both parties criticized the budget, saying it hurts the poor and working class. The proposal, which is not yet law, now heads to Congress for negotiation, where it faces strong opposition and could trigger months of debate over spending priorities. Write a short analysis explaining which part of President Trump’s proposed budget would affect everyday Americans the most and why. Use at least one example from the article — such as cuts to health, education, or housing — and explain how those changes might impact different communities. Then, briefly share whether you think cutting government spending like this is a good or bad idea, and support your answer with reasoning.

3. LEGAL ROLLBACKS

Republicans in Congress are using a rarely used law called the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to cancel recent Biden-era federal rules more easily. This law lets Congress undo agency regulations with a simple majority vote, without needing 60 votes to break a filibuster in the Senate. So far, President Trump has signed several of these rollbacks, including on methane pollution fees and clean energy rules. Now, Republicans are trying to use the CRA in new and controversial ways — like overturning California’s stricter air pollution laws, even though experts say these aren’t technically federal rules. If Republicans move forward, they would bypass the Senate parliamentarian and weaken the filibuster even more, which worries Democrats and policy experts. Some Democrats have warned that abusing this law could backfire in the future and give more power to whichever party controls Congress. Others, like Senator Jeff Merkley, want to use the CRA to stop Trump’s efforts to fire large numbers of federal workers, but their proposals are unlikely to pass under a Republican-controlled government. Imagine you are a member of Congress and have just learned about the Congressional Review Act. Write a short persuasive letter (about 1–2 paragraphs) either supporting or opposing its expanded use to overturn state-level rules like California’s pollution standards. In your letter, explain why you think Congress should or should not use this power, and how it could affect the balance between state and federal authority. Be sure to include at least one example from the article to support your point of view.

4. HUMANITY CHECK

A company called World, co-founded by Sam Altman of OpenAI, has launched a futuristic project in the U.S. that uses a glowing device called the Orb to scan people’s eyes. The goal is to verify that users online are real humans and not AI bots. People who participate receive a digital ID called a World ID and cryptocurrency called Worldcoin. Supporters say it could help fight the rise of fake AI accounts, but critics worry about privacy risks and whether the technology is too strange or invasive. While millions have already signed up around the world, some Americans are hesitant to give up their biometric data, even for free money. Write a short paragraph explaining whether or not you would be willing to get your eyes scanned for a World ID and cryptocurrency. In your answer, include at least one reason why someone might want to use the Orb and one reason why someone might not.

5. DUE PROCESS DEBATE

In a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” President Trump declined to commit to defending due process rights for both U.S. citizens and noncitizens, saying, “I don’t know,” when asked directly about the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment protections. He also said he would follow the Supreme Court’s rulings, despite critics arguing his actions, such as the wrongful deportation of a U.S. citizen child and Salvadoran man, show disregard for legal rights. Trump dismissed the possibility of using military force to make Canada the “51st state” but hinted that acquiring Greenland could involve more aggressive measures. He defended the U.S. economy amid a slight decline and pushed back on concerns that his tariffs may lead to shortages, saying Americans don’t need “30 dolls” or “250 pencils.” On the topic of a third term, Trump claimed he wasn’t seriously pursuing it but noted there is strong public support and “methods” he could explore. Despite promoting possible successors like JD Vance and Marco Rubio, Trump emphasized that the future of his political movement is secure. Write a short response explaining how the U.S. Constitution limits presidential power, using President Trump’s comments about due process, military action, and term limits as examples. In your answer, describe what due process means and why it matters. Then, choose one of Trump’s statements from the article and explain whether you think it respects or challenges the Constitution—and why.