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The Run Down - JUNE EDITION

  • Amari
  • Jul 2, 2025
  • 6 min read

Updated: Oct 25, 2025

Welcome to our first Run Down! Let's Dive In... We Have a Lot to Cover.


Trending: Zohran Mamdani Wins the NYC Mayoral Primary


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In a heated contest, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani won the democratic primary for NYC Mayor, defeating the frontrunner; former governor Andrew Cuomo by a margin of 70,000 votes. His victory stems from record turnout among Gen Z and a robust door-knocking operation that mobilized demographics from all over the state. Mamdani will move on to the general election on Nov 4th, 2025, where he will face the current incumbent Eric Adams (D), Curtis Silwa (R), Joseph Hernandez (I), and Andrew Cuomo again, who has decided to run as an independent. If elected, Mamdani would be one of the youngest mayors in the city's history.


Recent General Election Poll:

Poll: Honan Strategy Group

  • Mamdani (D) 39%

  • Cuomo (I) 39%

  • Adams (I) 13%

  • Silwa (R) 7%



The Candidates & Where They Stand On The Issues

Educational use only - Not endorsements


Educational Use only - Not endorsements



Supreme Court & Birthright Citizenship


As of today, the 14th amendment is still in place, which guarantees a legal right to citizenship for all children born in the country's border; regardless of parentage.


  • President Trump issued an executive order on January 20th, 2025 - denying this amendment titled; "Protecting the Meaning & Value of American Citizenship." Read more here.


  • Now back to June, the Supreme Court did not rule on birthright citizenship directly. However, in a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that individual federal judges may not issue nationwide injunctions. This limits lower court challenges and allows Trump’s executive order targeting birthright citizenship to take effect in some areas.


Why it matters: This decision weakens judicial checks on executive power and could reshape how immigration and civil rights policies are challenged in court.


The Vote:



The One Big Beautiful Bill...



The Senate Majority has passed President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" with a vote of 51-50, with VP Vance breaking the tie. Sen Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and Thom Tillis (North Carolina) were the only Republican Senators to oppose the measure. The bill is 887 pages long and is currently in the House being deliberated, where they will add or remove certain amendments/provisions of the bill.


Most of the bill is an extension of President Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is still currently in place today and is on track to end this year.


Running Down The Numbers


  • $4.5 trillion in tax cuts (Varies who it applies to)

  • Businesses can write off 100% of research and development costs.

  • Tax break for workers who get tips - only if you make under $25k a year.

  • $4000 deduction for seniors (paid by cuts to social services; Medicare).

  • Increase of child tax credit from $2200 to $2500.

  • Lower Class: Estimated $-1,600 loss (using loss of benefits).

  • Middle Class: 2017 Tax Cuts (Current tax code) - little to no change.

  • Wealthy: +$16,000 yearly (Paid from loss of benefits from lower class).

  • SNAP reduction: $300 billion over 10 years; moves administrative costs to states (50% → 75%).

  • $800 Billion in Medicaid cuts.

  • $1000 "Trump account": Babies born in the U.S. get $1k from the government - $5k account max.

  • $46.5 Billion for the Border Wall.

  • $4 Billion for 3k border patrol agents & 5k new customs officers (10k signing bonus).

  • 10,000 more ICE workers.

  • $150 Billion for Defense Department - 25 billion - "Golden".


Breaking Down the Numbers


  • Expands work requirements for Medicaid recipients between the ages of 19 and 55, requiring 30 hours of verified work, school, or training to maintain coverage.

  • Estimated to affect over 10 million Americans. Economists argue this will disproportionately impact low-income, Black, and rural communities.

  • Ends certain Obamacare subsidies for adults without dependents.


Why it matters: These tax changes increase the national deficit over time, but more importantly, they reflect a redistribution upward. While some working families see modest breaks, the bulk of benefits go to the wealthiest households.


Education; Continued


  • Federal dollars for K–12 education can now be used toward private and religious school tuition through an expanded school voucher program.

  • Removes several Title IX protections, including those for LGBTQ+ students.

  • Slashes funding for public university research and federal student loan forgiveness programs.


Why it matters: Redirecting public education funds toward private schools calls into question the separation of church and state & critics say it may deepen educational inequality. Deregulating protections could create unsafe learning environments for students with marginalized identities.


Energy & Environmental Policy


  • Increases subsidies and tax breaks for coal, oil, and natural gas companies.

  • Cuts incentives for wind and solar expansion.

  • Halts all new enforcement on the Clean Power Plan until 2027.


Why it matters: Critics say it rewards fossil fuel companies while weakening U.S. climate commitments.


Insured & Uninsured: Health Coverage Changes


  • 17 million people projected to lose health insurance due to Medicaid changes & work requirements and marketplace subsidy rollbacks by 2034.

  • Medicaid work requirements: 80 hours/month of work, training, or volunteering for adults aged 19–64. CBO estimates 4.8 million will lose coverage; $344 billion saved over 10 years.

  • Medicaid cuts total: ~$793+ billion over 10 years.

  • ACA subsidies: Removal of enhanced premium tax credits; projected to leave 4 million uninsured from ACA marketplace reduction.

  • In total, CBO projects 10.9 million newly uninsured.


What Else Happened in June!!


Juneteenth Celebrated Nationwide (June 19)


Communities across the U.S. marked Juneteenth with parades, concerts, and educational events, commemorating the day enslaved people in Texas were freed in 1865. It was the fourth Juneteenth celebrated as a federal holiday. Additional info: Learn more about Juneteenth.



David Hogg Leaves DNC Leadership (June 11, 2025)


David Hogg announced he would not seek re-election as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee after a party vote to redo his and Malcolm Kenyatta’s positions—effectively removing them amid internal tensions over his advocacy for primarying incumbents.


Why it matters: This event highlights internal divides in the Democratic Party and ongoing debates about strategy, accountability, and grassroots activism. Additional info: Read more here.



Vote to Impeach President Trump Fails in Committee (June 28)


An effort by some lawmakers to open impeachment proceedings against former President Donald Trump failed to advance past committee. The charges focused on alleged misuse of federal law enforcement powers. Additional info: Learn more here.



ICE Protests and National Guard Deployment in L.A. (June 10–15)


Mass protests erupted in Los Angeles after ICE conducted workplace raids. President Trump deployed the California National Guard and Marines to reinforce federal presence, while Governor Newsom condemned the move and filed legal action.


Why it matters: The event reignites debates over states’ rights, federal immigration enforcement, and the civil liberties of nonviolent protesters. Additional info: Read more here.



Rwanda–Congo Peace Deal Signed in D.C. (June 27)



Backed by U.S. mediation, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace deal pledging to disarm rebel groups and stabilize border regions. The deal includes economic cooperation on mining resources.


Why it matters: If upheld, the accord could reduce violence and improve supply chains for both countries, leading to economic growth. Additional info: Read more here.



U.S. Airstrikes on Iranian Facilities (June 13–20)



Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, prompting missile retaliation by Iran. The U.S then conducted airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities. Military officials stated the goal was deterrence, not full-scale engagement. A shaky ceasefire followed, with regional stability still uncertain.


Why it matters: This action underscores the fine line the U.S. walks between military support and escalation, and the challenge of maintaining regional balance without congressional war declarations. Additional info: Read more here.



No Kings Day



On June 14, 2025, an estimated 4–6 million people participated in roughly 2,100 “No Kings Day” rallies across the United States, according to a crowd-sourced tally by data journalist G. Elliott Morris. These largely peaceful demonstrations were organized in direct response to former President Trump’s policies, coinciding with a military parade on his 79th birthday. The scale of turnout; about 1.2–1.8% of the U.S. population --- positions it as potentially the second-largest national protest in recent American history, rivaling the 2017 Women’s March. Additional info: Learn more here.



Final Thoughts


June 2025 saw major political developments both at home and abroad. Domestically, the Senate passed the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Tensions escalated as ICE raids in Los Angeles sparked protests, prompting National Guard deployment and pushback from Governor Newsom. Juneteenth and “No Kings Day” were peacefully observed, highlighting civic engagement. In leadership shifts, David Hogg was removed from the DNC, and Zohran Mamdani won the NYC mayoral primary. Internationally, Israel, Iran, and the U.S. exchanged strikes before a fragile ceasefire; Rwanda and Congo signed a peace accord in Washington. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court limited federal judges’ power to block national policies.


It was a busy month - Come back in July for the next update!



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