ao1 examples Flashcards
(95 cards)
1
Q
What does the rejection of every gun bill proposed by Obama indicate about the legislative branch?
A
It shows the legislative branch’s power to do checks on the executive.
2
Q
What was the outcome of Obama’s veto of the Keystone Pipeline bill in 2015?
A
The Senate failed to overturn the veto with a vote of 62-37, showing the legislative branch’s lack of power to overturn an executive veto.
3
Q
What was significant about Trump’s appointment of Supreme Court Judge Neil Gorsuch?
A
It led to an uneven number of Supreme Court judges, influencing rulings such as Dobbs v. Jackson 2022.
4
Q
How many amendments have been made to the U.S. Constitution since 1789?
A
There have been 27 amendments out of nearly 2000 attempts.
5
Q
What does the quick passage of the America 2021 Rescue Plan demonstrate about Congress?
A
It shows that Congress can effectively pass bills quickly in times of emergency.
6
Q
What was the goal of the Affordable Care Act introduced in 2010?
A
To require every U.S. citizen to have health insurance and increase federal oversight for healthcare.
7
Q
What was the unity score during the 116th Congress?
A
90% unity score.
8
Q
What was the outcome of Donald Trump’s attempt to pass the America Healthcare Act in 2017?
A
He could not pass the act despite having a Republican majority in both the Senate and Congress.
9
Q
How did Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez engage with younger voters?
A
By using Instagram Lives to speak directly to constituents.
10
Q
What did the Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 establish?
A
It legalized abortion nationwide based on the right to privacy implied by the 14th Amendment.
11
Q
What was the effect of the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling in 2022?
A
It allowed states to make their own abortion laws, overturning federal protection established in Roe v. Wade.
12
Q
What was the Supreme Court’s ruling in Alvarez v. US (2012)?
A
The Stolen Valor Act was ruled unconstitutional for violating the First Amendment right of freedom of speech.
13
Q
What did Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) guarantee?
A
It guaranteed the right to marry for same-sex couples due to the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
14
Q
What did the Citizens United v. FEC (2010) ruling state?
A
Corporations can spend unlimited money on political campaigns, as limiting it violates the First Amendment.
15
Q
What was the outcome of Biden’s Build Back Better bill in 2021?
A
It failed due to the filibuster, showing division within the government.
16
Q
What was the goal of Biden’s Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act in 2022?
A
To impose a minimum income tax on billionaires.
17
Q
What was the outcome of the Tax and Jobs Act introduced by Republicans in 2017?
A
It cut the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%.
18
Q
What characterizes conservative Democrats?
A
They oppose intervention and large spending on federal programs.
19
Q
What characterizes moderate Democrats?
A
They support increasing the minimum wage and higher taxes on corporations.
20
Q
What characterizes liberal Democrats?
A
They advocate for free college tuition and state affordable housing.
21
Q
What was the outcome of Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness program in 2023?
A
It was struck down by the Supreme Court in Biden v. Nebraska.
22
Q
What was the significant event related to the Gaza Crisis in 2025?
A
Trump proposed turning Gaza into a ‘Freedom Zone’, which was condemned by the UN as ethnic cleansing.
23
Q
What was the impact of Musk’s political influence during Trump’s 2024 campaign?
A
He donated nearly $290m and created a data operation that helped flip key states.
24
Q
What was Trump’s proposal regarding NATO and Russia?
A
He proposed a NATO withdrawal from Eastern Europe and allowing Russia to keep Crimea and Donbas.
25
What was the voter turnout percentage in the 2020 Election?
66.8%, the highest since 1900.
26
What was the significant action taken by Trump after the 2020 election results?
He falsely claimed fraud and incited the Capitol riot on January 6th, 2021.
27
What demographic groups did Biden dominate in the 2020 election?
Urban areas, Black voters (92%), young voters
## Footnote
These groups significantly supported Biden in the election.
28
Which demographic groups saw an increase in support for Trump from 2016 to 2020?
Latino voters (28% to 32%), rural voters
## Footnote
This shift indicates changing dynamics in voter preferences.
29
What was the voter turnout percentage in the 2020 election?
66.8%
## Footnote
This turnout was the highest since 1900.
30
What impact did COVID-19 have on voting in the 2020 election?
Increased early and absentee ballots
## Footnote
The pandemic led to changes in voting behavior and methods.
31
What false claim did Trump make post-election?
Fraud
## Footnote
This claim was a significant part of the post-election narrative.
32
What event occurred on January 6th, 2021, related to the election results?
Capitol riot
## Footnote
This event was an attempt to overturn the election result.
33
What was the outcome of Biden's $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan?
Struck down by SCOTUS in Biden v Nebraska
## Footnote
This case highlighted limitations on presidential power.
34
What significant executive orders did Biden issue?
Rejoining Paris Agreement, cancelling Keystone XL Pipeline
## Footnote
These orders reflect Biden's policy priorities.
35
What major legislation did Congress block due to conservative Democrats?
Build Back Better bill
## Footnote
This highlights the challenges Biden faced in enacting his agenda.
36
Who was the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court?
Ketanji Brown Jackson
## Footnote
Her appointment represents a historic milestone.
37
What was the ruling in Dobbs v Jackson (2022)?
Overturned Roe v Wade
## Footnote
This ruling removed constitutional protection for abortion.
38
What was the result of the Moore v Harper (2023) case?
Rejected 'independent legislature' theory
## Footnote
This preserved judicial checks on state legislatures.
39
What was one of the major successes of Congress under Biden?
American Rescue Plan (2021)
## Footnote
This was a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package passed with Democrat votes.
40
What was a major failure of Congress under Biden?
Build Back Better bill blocked by Manchin
## Footnote
This failure illustrates the limits of party unity.
41
What was Biden's public approval rating trend from 2021 to 2024?
Began near 55%, fell to 38–42%
## Footnote
This decline was attributed to various factors including inflation and Afghanistan.
42
What act did Biden push for regarding voting rights?
Freedom to Vote Act
## Footnote
This act failed in the Senate due to filibuster.
43
What was the outcome of the Dobbs v Jackson ruling on abortion rights?
Overturned Roe v Wade
## Footnote
Biden condemned the ruling but could not reverse it without Congress.
44
What was a key aspect of Biden's approach to civil liberties?
Backed regulation of misinformation
## Footnote
This drew criticism for potential overreach.
45
What significant campaign finance trend occurred in the 2020 election?
Democrats outspent Republicans
## Footnote
Super PACs and dark money groups continued to dominate funding.
46
What major influence did Elon Musk have on the 2024 campaign?
Supported Trump with $45 million to Super PAC
## Footnote
This highlights significant financial backing in campaigns.
47
What two factions exist within the Democrat Party?
Progressives, Moderates
## Footnote
Progressives advocate for bold reforms while moderates favor incrementalism.
48
What defines the Republican Party's current dynamics?
Trumpism dominates despite 2020 loss
## Footnote
There is a division between establishment and populist factions.
49
What was a rare example of bipartisanship in Congress under Biden?
Infrastructure bill
## Footnote
Most legislation passed via reconciliation or failed due to filibuster.
50
How does the Electoral College work?
538 electors, 270 to win; most states are winner-takes-all.
## Footnote
Criticised for enabling presidents to win without the popular vote (e.g., Trump 2016, Bush 2000)
51
What are Super PACs?
Independent political action committees that can raise unlimited funds post-Citizens United (2010).
## Footnote
Major influence through ads; Musk donated $45m via a Super PAC in 2024.
52
What impact do presidential debates have on elections?
Influence undecided voters and shape media narrative.
## Footnote
Biden gained ground in 2020 debates by focusing on Trump’s COVID-19 failure.
53
How does education affect voting behaviour in U.S. elections?
Graduates often vote Democrat; non-college educated whites are a core Republican demographic, especially under Trump (2016–2024).
54
What are key regional voting patterns in U.S. elections?
South leans Republican; West Coast and Northeast vote Democrat; Midwest is typically the battleground region.
55
What impact does religion have on voting in the U.S.?
Evangelical Christians heavily favour Republicans; secular and minority faith groups lean Democrat.
56
What is frontloading in the primary process?
When states move their primaries earlier to influence the nomination, leading to rushed candidate selection and early media narratives.
57
What are caucuses?
Meetings used instead of primaries in some states (e.g., Iowa); criticised for low turnout and being unrepresentative.
58
What role do third-party candidates play in U.S. elections?
Rarely win but can split major party votes.
## Footnote
(e.g., Nader 2000 hurt Gore; RFK Jr. predicted to impact 2024).
59
How has Congress attempted to check presidential war powers?
Through the War Powers Resolution (1973); used to limit Trump's actions in Syria (2019), but often ignored by presidents.
60
What are examples of the Supreme Court acting judicially activist?
Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) overturned precedent; Citizens United (2010) struck down campaign finance limits.
61
What are examples of judicial restraint in the Supreme Court?
NFIB v. Sebelius (2012) upheld Obamacare by interpreting the mandate as a tax; shows caution in overturning major legislation.
62
What are some key executive orders issued by Biden?
Rejoined the Paris Agreement (2021), cancelled Keystone XL Pipeline, paused student loan repayments.
63
What powers does the President use to bypass Congress?
Executive orders, signing statements, and regulatory control via federal agencies.
## Footnote
(e.g., Obama’s DACA)
64
How has Congress held the President accountable in recent years?
Impeached Trump twice; blocked some appointments; investigated COVID-19 responses and Capitol riot.
## Footnote
(e.g., Ukraine call, Jan 6)
65
What was the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Rahimi (2024)?
The Court upheld a federal law banning gun ownership for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders, ruling 8–1 that the restriction is consistent with the Second Amendment.
66
What was the Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. United States (2024)?
The Court ruled 6–3 that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for core official acts, but not for unofficial conduct — significantly expanding presidential legal protections.
67
What was the ruling in Nixon v. Fitzgerald (1982)?
The Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that the president has absolute immunity from civil lawsuits for actions taken within their 'official capacity' as president — strengthening the legal shield around the office.
68
What was the significance of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024)?
The Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine (1984) in a 6–2 ruling, ending judicial deference to federal agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws.
Supporters say it strengthens separation of powers by restoring judicial independence.
Critics argue it undermines expertise and democracy by handing policy decisions to unelected judges.
69
What was the significance of Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024)
The Supreme Court ruled that fines and jail terms for actions like public camping do not violate the Eighth Amendment’s "cruel and unusual punishments" clause.
Supporters praised the ruling for adhering to the original meaning of the Constitution.
Critics argued it failed to protect homeless people and vulnerable populations from excessive punishment.
70
What happened during the 2025 migrant deportations under Trump, and what does it show about the courts?
The Trump administration used executive powers to rapidly deport hundreds of migrants. Courts issued emergency orders, but were often too late or ignored. The Supreme Court later paused some deportations, reasserting due process.
Supporters say courts upheld constitutional rights and influenced policy.
Critics argue courts were too slow and lacked enforcement power.
71
72
What key factor largely drives the voter realignment between Trump and Democratic candidates?
Education and the clashing economic interests and social values of college graduates vs. working-class voters without college degrees.
73
What were the Democratic candidates' majorities among college graduates from 2016 to 2024?
* 52% (2016)
* 55% (2020)
* 56% (2024)
74
How has Trump’s support among voters without college degrees changed from 2016 to 2024?
Increased from 51% in 2016 to 55% in 2024.
75
What was Trump’s support among white voters without degrees in 2016?
66% of white voters without degrees supported Trump.
76
How did Trump’s support among ethnic minority voters without degrees change from 2016 to 2024?
It rose sharply from 20% in 2016 to 34% in 2024.
77
Among white voters, how did education affect voting patterns by gender?
* White female graduates increasingly voted Democrat (51%, 54%, 58%)
* White male non-graduates consistently voted for Trump (~70%)
78
How did income voting patterns shift between 2016 and 2024?
* In 2016, Clinton won voters earning under $50k
* In 2024, Trump won voters earning under $100k, while Harris won those earning over $100k.
79
How did Trump’s support among ethnic minority voters change from 2016 to 2024?
Increased from 21% to 33%.
80
Which ethnic minority male groups showed the most significant increase in support for Trump from 2016 to 2024?
* Hispanic men (from 34% to 54%)
* Black men (from 13% to 21%)
81
How are electors appointed in U.S. presidential elections, and what are the implications of the winner-takes-all system?
With the exception of Maine and Nebraska, all states use a winner-takes-all system: the candidate with the most votes in a state receives all its Electoral College votes.
Example (2024 Michigan): Trump narrowly beat Harris by ~80,000 votes out of 5.6 million, winning all 15 of Michigan’s electoral votes.
Inefficiency of large margins: Harris won California by over 3 million votes, but still only gained 54 electoral votes—she would have received the same even if she'd won by one vote. These extra votes were effectively wasted.
Impact: Under winner-takes-all, a candidate can win the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote, as Trump did in 2016—he won 304 electoral votes with fewer votes than Clinton due to more efficient distribution.
82
How did Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election despite receiving fewer votes than Hillary Clinton?
Under the winner-takes-all system, Trump won the Electoral College due to a more efficient distribution of votes, even though Hillary Clinton won the popular vote.
Popular Vote:
Trump: 62,984,828 (46.1%)
Clinton: 65,853,514 (48.2%)
Electoral Vote:
Trump: 304 (56.5%)
Clinton: 227 (42.2%)
Trump won 30 states, showing how the Electoral College can override the national vote total if votes are more strategically concentrated.
83
What to use the Tiktok vs US case for
📱 TikTok v. U.S. (2025)
Topic Areas: U.S. Constitution (Civil Liberties), Supreme Court, Checks and Balances, Presidential Power
Case Summary:
In 2024, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, forcing TikTok (owned by China’s ByteDance) to sell or face a U.S. ban by January 2025. TikTok sued, claiming this violated First Amendment free speech rights.
Ruling:
In June 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the law, ruling unanimously that national security concerns justified restrictions on a foreign-owned platform. The court accepted that while the law impacts speech, the government has a compelling interest in regulating threats from foreign adversaries.
Use In Exams:
Civil Liberties: Shows limits of the First Amendment – not absolute when national security is at stake.
Supreme Court: Demonstrates judicial restraint – SC upheld Congressional law, didn’t strike it down.
Checks & Balances: Illustrates Congress making law, President (Trump) issuing temporary enforcement pause, and Court reviewing it — a full separation-of-powers example.
Presidential Power: Trump’s temporary suspension order (April 2025) delayed the ban – example of executive discretion.
84
Musk accusing Trump of links to Epstein’s island — How to use this in politics exam
This situation highlights political accountability through media scrutiny and social pressure, showing how public figures are held responsible. It illustrates the impact of political scandals on reputation and public trust, and how social media accelerates the spread of such narratives. The feud also reflects partisan politics and polarisation, with personal attacks fueling divisions and media cycles. Calls by Musk for the DOJ and FBI to release Epstein files show congressional oversight attempts and the challenge of government transparency. Finally, Musk’s involvement demonstrates how wealthy individuals can influence political debates outside formal institutions, blending business power with political influence.
85
What tariffs did Trump impose and what agreement did he renegotiate?
Tariffs on China and renegotiated NAFTA into the USMCA
## Footnote
USMCA stands for United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced NAFTA.
86
What significant immigration policy did Trump implement in 2017?
The travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries
## Footnote
This policy was widely controversial and faced legal challenges.
87
What were Trump's actions regarding NATO during his presidency?
Threatened NATO allies to increase defense spending and questioned U.S. role in NATO
## Footnote
Trump’s stance marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy.
88
How did Trump utilize social media during his presidency?
Frequent Twitter use to attack opponents and promote policies
## Footnote
This approach was a departure from traditional communication methods used by politicians.
89
What themes characterized Trump's 2016 and 2020 election campaigns?
Anti-globalism and appealing to working-class voters
## Footnote
These themes resonated with many voters who felt left behind by globalization.
90
What trade agreements do traditional conservatives support?
Support for NAFTA and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
## Footnote
Traditional conservatives have generally favored free trade policies.
91
What is the traditional conservative stance on immigration?
More open to guest worker programs or comprehensive immigration reform
## Footnote
This approach contrasts sharply with Trump's immigration policies.
92
What foreign policy approach do traditional conservatives endorse?
Support for strong U.S. leadership abroad and military intervention
## Footnote
An example includes George W. Bush’s Iraq War.
93
What style of communication do traditional conservatives prefer?
Focus on policy speeches, think tanks, and conservative media
## Footnote
This differs from the populist style often used by Trump.
94
Who are some prominent figures representing traditional conservatism?
George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, and former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
## Footnote
These leaders have shaped the traditional conservative agenda.
95
What was the “Bridge to Nowhere” and why is it significant in US politics?
In 2005, Congress earmarked $223 million to build a bridge linking Ketchikan, Alaska (pop. ~8,000) to Gravina Island (pop. ~50).
Backed by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska).
Widely criticised as wasteful spending and became the symbol of pork-barrel politics.
The bridge was later scrapped, but the funds were kept and redirected locally.
