United States Placed on Global Rights Watch List for Attacks on Civic Freedoms
US placed on global rights watchlist for "sustained attacks on civic freedoms" including protest crackdowns and press restrictions.
By Aaron Parnas•July 30, 2025•7 min read
Foreign Policy
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Now, let’s get to the news.
Vice President Kamala Harris, in an exclusive given to me, announced that she will not be running for Governor of California. Harris left the door open for a possible Presidential run in 2028 or in the future.
The U.S. was placed on a global rights watchlist by Civicus for “sustained attacks on civic freedoms” under the Trump administration, citing militarized protest crackdowns, press restrictions, and criminalization of pro-Palestinian advocacy; the U.S. was downgraded to a “narrowed” civic space rating, putting it alongside countries like El Salvador and Kenya
Texas Republicans unveiled a new congressional map that could net them up to five additional House seats, prompting backlash from Democrats who called it a racially discriminatory power grab; the redistricting, pushed by Gov. Greg Abbott and Donald Trump, consolidates Democratic districts and alters boundaries in areas with growing Hispanic populations, sparking threats of legal challenges and national mobilization.
Vice President JD Vance may have screwed over efforts to gerrymander Texas by putting out a tweet that has since been deleted:
High Noon recalled vodka seltzers mislabeled as Celsius energy drinks, warning of unintentional alcohol consumption; no illnesses or adverse events reported, per the FDA and Bloomberg.
Senate GOP leader John Thune rejected Donald Trump’s call to scrap the “blue slip” tradition—a Senate custom giving home-state senators input on judicial and US attorney nominees—despite Trump’s push to expedite confirmations; Thune and other Republicans, including Chuck Grassley and John Kennedy, defended the bipartisan practice, calling Trump’s demand a “needless fight” and warning of political payback if the process is abandoned.
FDA’s top vaccine official Vinay Prasad stepped down after less than four months, amid bipartisan criticism and controversy over his regulatory decisions and past opposition to Covid-19 mandates; the Trump administration gave no official reason, but analysts and reports suggest his tenure unsettled both political and biotech sectors, with markets reacting positively to his departure.
The U.S. Federal Reserve voted to keep interest rates steady at 4.25–4.5%, despite criticism from Donald Trump and dissent from two governors, marking the first multi-governor opposition since 1993; the Fed cited moderate economic growth, low unemployment, and still-elevated inflation as reasons for holding the rate.
Former CIA officer Susan Miller refuted Tulsi Gabbard’s accusations that Barack Obama led a “treasonous conspiracy” to fabricate Russian election interference findings against Donald Trump, calling Gabbard’s claims false, misinformed, and politically motivated; Miller defended her team’s intelligence work as based on verified sources and denied using the Steele dossier in their report.
Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff plus an unspecified penalty on Indian goods, citing India’s arms and energy ties with Russia during the Ukraine war; while calling India a “friend,” Trump criticized its trade barriers and deficit with the U.S., escalating global trade tensions ahead of his August 1 deadline for deals, with India among several nations still negotiating.
Trump calls Missouri Senator Josh Hawley a second-tier senator over stock trading ban spat.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva pushed back against Donald Trump’s planned 50% tariffs, warning of a “lose-lose” scenario as the U.S. cites Bolsonaro-related tensions; Lula emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty, openness to economic negotiation, and rejection of Trump’s pressure over judicial matters, while polls show domestic support for Lula rising amid the looming trade clash.
The Trump administration froze $108M in federal research funding to Duke University, alleging racial discrimination in hiring and admissions that violate the Civil Rights Act and Affordable Care Act; Duke was ordered to end any race-based advantages and create a government-approved oversight panel, part of a broader push by the administration to reshape higher education policies through funding pressure.
Shane Tamura, the gunman in the Manhattan skyscraper mass shooting, built the AR-15-style rifle himself, authorities said, killing four and injuring one at the NFL headquarters before taking his own life; Tamura, a former Las Vegas casino security worker with mental health issues and a note referencing CTE, traveled cross-country to target the NFL over alleged brain injury cover-ups but mistakenly entered the wrong office.
Danville, Virginia Councilman Lee Vogler was set on fire in a targeted attack at his workplace by suspect Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, who doused him in gasoline and ignited it; police say the assault was personal, not political, and Vogler—conscious and hospitalized—is being treated for burns, as authorities investigate and charges are pending.
The UN held emergency talks over soaring accommodation costs for Cop30 in Belém, Brazil, amid fears that high hotel rates—up to $700 per night—could exclude poorer nations and civil society from the climate summit; Brazil promised to address the issue, including adding cruise ships and capped rates, but concerns persist that Cop30 may become the most inaccessible in recent history.
Twelve Democratic members of Congress have filed a lawsuit against ICE, challenging its new restrictions on lawmakers visiting detention facilities, arguing the policy violates their oversight responsibilities and constitutional rights.
Brown University reached a deal with the Trump administration to restore federal research funding, agreeing to pay $50 million over 10 years to state workforce development programs without admitting wrongdoing, and with assurances that the U.S. cannot dictate its curriculum or academic speech.
A new Washington Post poll shows only 16% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the Epstein files, while 58% disapprove—including 63% of Independents and 24% of Republicans.
Good news:
Mexico City’s Taquería El Califa de León became the first taco stand ever to earn a Michelin Star, recognized for its simplicity and quality with just four menu items, standout tortillas, and the signature Gaonera taco; chef Arturo Rivera Martínez’s minimalist approach highlights Mexico’s rich culinary tradition in the country’s first-ever Michelin Guide.
The ancestral home of Harley-Davidson co-founder William C. Davidson was saved from demolition after devoted bikers and the Harley-Davidson Company raised over £300,000 to preserve the Scottish cottage; the restored home, once at risk of being sold to developers, will now be protected as a historic site celebrating the brand’s legacy.
A painting bought for £150 at a London estate sale was revealed to be an original Salvador Dalí, titled Vecchio Sultano, from a 1966 Arabian Nights series, and is now expected to sell for up to $37,000 at Cheffins Fine Art; the buyer verified its authenticity through Sotheby’s records and Dalí scholarship after spotting it at a low-profile auction.
