Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump declared "Artificial Intelligence" terminology an enemy position — Trump posted that the White House considers anyone using the term "Artificial Intelligence" rather than "Super Intelligence" to be "THE ENEMY." The statement represents an attempt to control language and terminology used in public discourse and government.
• Trump labeled those refusing to use "Super Intelligence" terminology as enemies — Following a recent executive order directing federal agencies to replace "AI" (Artificial Intelligence) with "SI" (Super Intelligence) in communications, Trump publicly labeled those who refuse to adopt the preferred terminology as "THE ENEMY" and enemies of the White House. The order represents an attempt to control language use across federal agencies.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon appoints tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to advisory roles — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth appointed tech billionaires Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to advisory roles in a Pentagon project about the future of warfare, dubbed "Project Meridian." Both men are significant MAGA campaign donors and own companies that benefit from federal defense contracting. The project will be led by Pentagon official Emil Michael, a former Uber executive who made millions in profits from non-public Musk company AI stock while in federal office and while guiding the Department of Defense's AI efforts.
• Secretary of Defense places military decisions under control of AI megadonors — Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, is putting decisions about the future of the U.S. military into the hands of AI megadonors, according to the article. The specific decisions or mechanisms are not detailed, but the article frames this as a threat to military independence and civilian control.

Supporting reports

• DOJ employees wrote open letter about sledgehammer approach — ProPublica reported that nearly 300 DOJ employees who have left the agency under Trump signed an open letter stating that the Trump DOJ is "taking a sledgehammer" to long-standing work to "protect communities and the rule of law." The employees stated that the DOJ is retreating from its mission to impartially uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe, and protect civil rights.

Supporting reports

• Federal employees paid $6.7 billion to not work due to DOGE workforce reduction — According to a Government Accountability Office report, federal employees were paid $6.7 billion by the Trump administration in 2025 to not work as a result of DOGE's efforts to reduce the federal workforce. The payments represent a significant waste of taxpayer funds while simultaneously degrading the capacity of federal agencies to function.

Supporting reports

• U.S. military advisors deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of joint forces command — More than 100 U.S. military advisors are stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of a new joint forces command, providing intelligence to Saudi forces and assisting in identifying Houthi targets. U.S. officials stated the advisors are not participating directly in strikes nor providing operational support, though the U.S. routinely shares intelligence with Saudi Arabia.

Supporting reports

• Lonnie Bunch III announces retirement as Smithsonian secretary amid Trump pressure campaign — Lonnie Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution since 2019 and the first African American to lead the institution, announced his retirement effective end of year. Bunch cited personal reasons but acknowledged stress from Trump administration attacks on the museum's content and independence, including a March 2025 executive order accusing the Smithsonian of "divisive, race-centered ideology" and attempts to remove the National Portrait Gallery director. Bunch's replacement will be selected by the Smithsonian's 17-member board of regents.

Supporting reports

• Labor Department inspector general report alleges misconduct by former labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer — The Department of Labor's office of inspector general released a 38-page report alleging that Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who served as labor secretary from January 2025 to April 2026, engaged in misconduct including drinking alcohol during work hours, maintaining alcohol on federal property, directing staff to attend a strip club, misusing agency funds for personal travel, accepting unreported gifts, and creating a hostile work environment. The investigation, prompted by an anonymous complaint filed in January 2026, included testimony from 38 witnesses. Two of her top aides also left the agency in March 2026 amid the investigation.

Supporting reports

• Homeland Security Investigations launches coordinated voter fraud initiative — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began a coordinated voter fraud investigation across nine states, directing agents to investigate leads, conduct interviews, and develop cases for federal prosecutors. USCIS investigators are also assisting with election-related work, pulling the federal immigration system into election enforcement less than two months before the midterm elections.
• HSI launches nine-state voter-fraud investigation surge — Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of ICE, has launched a voter-fraud investigation surge across nine states. The operation is set to start approximately two months before Election Day (November 3, 2026) and is planned to continue into the period when early and mail voting will be underway. Investigators have been instructed to follow leads and help move cases to federal prosecutors. The operation is scheduled to wind down in mid-October.

Supporting reports

• USCIS officers reassigned from immigration fraud to voter-data review — The Washington Post reported that hundreds of USCIS officers normally investigating fraud and security concerns in immigration applications have been reassigned to review voter data for noncitizens. DHS did not confirm the specific number, but a USCIS spokesperson confirmed the voter-data operation is underway. This reassignment diverts immigration personnel from their standard duties to support federal election enforcement efforts.

Supporting reports

• Forest Service reorganization moves headquarters and eliminates regional offices — Under Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz, the agency underwent a structural reorganization that moved its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Salt Lake City, eliminated regional offices and staff, and shifted authority over forests to states. This reorganization reduces federal oversight capacity and centralizes decision-making in a manner that favors state-level timber interests.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon secretly hired military veterans as paid right-wing influencers to promote Pete Hegseth — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has secretly hired military veterans with large social media followings to act as paid right-wing influencers to push Pete Hegseth's propaganda. Although these individuals are now government employees, the Pentagon refuses to provide details on their assignments. Their taxpayer-funded job is to "amplify Pete Hegseth's" messaging.
• Pentagon hires right-wing social media influencers as government employees — The Pentagon has hired right-wing social media influencers as special government employees using taxpayer money to amplify Defense Secretary Hegseth's viewpoints and attack critics of the Trump administration. Reported hires include Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Thomas Anderson. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on their job content, salaries, or employment duration.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers as Pentagon employees — Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers to work at the Department of Defense as Special Government Employees (SGEs) to promote him on social media platform X. Retired Colonels Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Tom Anderson acknowledged being SGE employees for the Pentagon after the article's publication. The Pentagon had previously declined to comment on the issue and withheld information about the SGEs' status for days, including after speculation on social media.

Supporting reports

• DHS posted loyalty-test message on official account — The official Department of Homeland Security social media account posted a portrait of Trump on Monday accompanied by the text "Did you remain loyal?" The post appeared during Trump's Freedom 250 series event in Washington, D.C., which drew approximately 150,000 supporters.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO v. United States Office of Personnel Management — The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against the United States Office of Personnel Management. The case docket is 3:26-cv-08835. No case summary or operative details are yet available.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Doddamani v. Blanche (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02885) — Sunita Doddamani, an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Michigan, filed a federal complaint challenging her termination by then-Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on April 13, 2026. Doddamani alleges the stated rationale for her firing—misconduct—was pretextual and that she was actually removed in retaliation for her perceived political affiliation and beliefs. She had served on the prosecution team in a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act case brought during the Biden administration; the DOJ announced the same day it had terminated personnel "responsible for weaponizing the FACE Act." Doddamani seeks reinstatement, declaratory relief, backpay, and attorney fees under the Civil Service Reform Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and First and Fifth Amendments.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration opens public comment period on vaccine recommendation categories — The Trump administration's Health and Human Services (HHS) department published a Federal Register notice on Friday seeking public feedback on vaccine recommendation categories (routine, risk-based, shared clinical decision-making) and whether new categories should be adopted. The notice, tied to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s task force on safer childhood vaccines, invites 30 days of public comment on the categorization structure and evidence-evaluation standards. Public health experts warn the process bypasses CDC and ACIP expertise, risks confusion about vaccine access, and may be designed to limit vaccination uptake.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Rosenzweig v. Blanche (S.D. Fla.) — Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Rosenzweig filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida challenging his removal by the Department of Justice on September 23, 2025. Rosenzweig alleges the removal was retaliation for First Amendment-protected speech critical of President Trump, a violation of the Civil Service Reform Act's restrictions on removing career employees, a Privacy Act violation for compiling records of his protected activity, and a due process violation. He seeks reinstatement, backpay, declaratory relief, and damages.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility gutted; 1,666 misconduct complaints filed in 2025 — The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility received 1,666 misconduct complaints in 2025, the highest number since 2005. Simultaneously, OPR staffing fell from 29 to 16 employees, and its director was fired with no replacement named. The inspector general's office lost 99 employees since the end of the Biden administration. Judge Kathleen Williams recently accused senior officials including acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of reaching a settlement in Trump's suit against the IRS, and a pattern of errors has recurred in the first Comey prosecution.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Rahman Petit v. Blanche (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02765) — Anam Rahman Petit, a former immigration judge at DOJ's Executive Office for Immigration Review, filed suit in D.D.C. challenging her termination effective September 9, 2025, which occurred days before her conversion to permanent status. Petit alleges DOJ violated Title VII by removing her based on sex, race, and national origin, and violated the First Amendment by terminating her based on Democratic affiliation and prior association with immigrants' rights organizations. She seeks reinstatement, back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, and declaratory relief. DOJ's EEO office had dismissed her administrative complaint on May 11, 2026, asserting the Attorney General's Article II removal power placed the matter beyond Title VII's scope.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — Doe v. Kupor (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-02723) — Five current and former federal employees enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) or Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) programs filed a putative class action complaint on August 3, 2026, challenging the elimination of coverage for gender-affirming care. The Office of Personnel Management eliminated such coverage effective January 1, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order 14168 issued January 20, 2025, and eliminated a narrow exception for mid-treatment enrollees effective Plan Year 2027. Plaintiffs allege sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and seek class certification, declaratory judgment, permanent injunction restoring coverage, retroactive coverage, and compensatory damages.
• Federal employees sue over removal of gender-affirming care from health plans — A class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., challenges the removal of gender-affirming care from Federal Employees Health Benefits and Postal Service Health Benefits programs, arguing the exclusion constitutes sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The UCLA Williams Institute estimates 39,400 to 57,800 transgender federal employees are affected by the policy change.

Supporting reports

• House Ethics Committee Recommends Censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards — The House Ethics Committee has formally found that Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) sexually harassed young female staffers. Following a lengthy investigation, the committee recommended that Edwards be censured by the House. The committee concluded there was substantial reason to believe Edwards violated House Rules related to sexual harassment and hostile workplaces. Edwards has agreed to waive certain procedural steps, allowing the committee to recommend a House-level sanction for his conduct.
• House ethics committee recommends censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards for sexual harassment — The US House ethics committee, in a bipartisan report, recommended censure of Republican congressman Chuck Edwards (North Carolina) after determining he "fostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment" toward two young female staffers. The committee found Edwards singled out the women for special treatment—including gifts, late-night texts, private dinners, and paid trips—that made them uncomfortable and harmed office morale. Both staffers resigned. Edwards acknowledged some behavior could be viewed as inappropriate but denied responsibility for harm. His campaign rejected the findings.

Supporting reports

• Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and refuses to testify at Senate Covid hearing — Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to answer questions at a Senate committee hearing on Covid-19 origins called by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Fauci stated Paul's goal was to embarrass, intimidate, and land him "behind bars." Paul responded by threatening a contempt vote and removing one of Fauci's attorneys from the room. The hearing became contentious, with Republican senators demanding apologies and attacking Fauci's credibility while Democrats defended him as a victim of harassment.
• Rand Paul announces intent to pursue contempt of Congress vote against Fauci — Following Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment during the Senate hearing, Senator Rand Paul told reporters he intends to call a vote for contempt of Congress the following week in the committee on homeland security and governmental affairs. Paul stated there would be "repercussions" for Fauci's refusal to testify. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri joined in, asserting Fauci has no Fifth Amendment rights in this context and accused him of contempt for Congress and the American people.
• Rand Paul chairs Senate hearing on Covid origins; Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and declines testimony — Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before a Republican-led Senate committee hearing chaired by Senator Rand Paul, ostensibly to investigate Covid-19 origins. Fauci, citing his attorneys' advice and invoking the Fifth Amendment, declined to answer questions throughout the hearing. Paul had asserted that Fauci could bear responsibility for the pandemic due to NIH funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Fauci characterized Paul's investigation as an "unhinged obsession." Paul indicated he intends to call a vote for contempt of Congress the following week.
• Republican senators attack Fauci's pandemic record and scientific credibility — Multiple Republican senators used the hearing to criticize Fauci on various grounds. Senator Ron Johnson accused Fauci of covering up unfavorable vaccine information, calling vaccines "experimental gene therapy." Senator Bernie Moreno demanded Fauci apologize for military vaccine mandates, pandemic business closures, and a mask-enforcement arrest, calling him a "total and complete disgrace." Senator Joni Ernst criticized use of aborted fetal tissue in research. Democratic Senator Gary Peters warned the hearing was scapegoating one official for a crisis involving hundreds of officials across administrations.
• Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment during Senate testimony — Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right during a Senate hearing led by Senator Rand Paul, where he faced aggressive questioning regarding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci stated that he believed the hearing was aimed at vindicating Paul's public claims for his imprisonment, and he refrained from answering questions over 100 times.
• Senator Rand Paul subpoenas Fauci to testify — Senator Rand Paul, now chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, subpoenaed Dr. Anthony Fauci to appear before the committee. Fauci's lawyers noted Paul's history of calling for Fauci's imprisonment, which influenced Fauci's decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights during the testimony.
• Republicans continue to target Fauci amid political tensions — Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, have intensified their attacks on Dr. Anthony Fauci, accusing him of lying about the origins of COVID-19 and calling for his arrest. This campaign has been fueled by the release of Fauci's private diary, which Republicans have used to further their narrative against him, despite a lack of evidence of wrongdoing.

Supporting reports

• Vice President Vance delays board nominations to allow Trump to substitute conservative candidates — Vice President JD Vance, a member of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents, has delayed action on board nominations because President Trump hoped to substitute more ideologically aligned candidates. Three board vacancies currently exist, with three more opening in October. The board nominates its own members and sends names to Congress for approval. Trump and Congressional Republicans are focused on stacking the board with conservatives to gain control over museum leadership.

Supporting reports

• GDP growth slowed to 1.5% in Q2, below economist expectations of 2.1%, attributed to Iran war disruptions and elevated energy costs. — The Commerce Department reported Thursday that U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 1.5% in the second quarter, falling short of the 2.1% rate economists had predicted. The slowdown reflects economic strain from the Iran conflict, which has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and driven global energy costs higher. U.S. gas prices surged from $2.98 per gallon before the war to over $4 during the quarter. The first quarter had shown 2.1% growth.
• Trump administration campaign to rewrite pandemic history and restrict scientific funding — The article documents a broader Trump administration effort to rewrite the history of the Covid-19 pandemic and restrict scientific research funding. The administration has invoked the "lab leak" theory to criticize past pandemic policies while simultaneously cutting $11.4 billion in state and local health department funding. Disruptions to cancer and Alzheimer's research funding are justified as eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. A proposed rule would place the entire $1 trillion federal grant-making apparatus under control of political appointees, based on trials at the National Institutes of Health in 2025.
• Q2 GDP growth falls to 1.5%, below forecast — Second-quarter GDP growth came in at 1.5%, significantly below the 2.1% estimate. Trump administration officials have continued to promise 4–6% growth, creating a gap between official projections and actual economic performance.
• Treasury bond selloff follows Fed decision to hold rates steady — A selloff in Treasury bonds occurred after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for a seventh consecutive month. The bond market reaction suggests investor concern about inflation or economic conditions despite the Fed's decision to maintain current rates.
• U.S. GDP Growth Slows Amid Iran Conflict — The U.S. GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the second quarter, falling short of the expected 2.1% growth. The Commerce Department attributes the slowdown to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted shipping and increased global energy costs. The economic impact is evident in rising gas prices and concerns over future growth.
• US GDP Growth Slows in Q2 2026 — The US GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, below expectations. The slowdown is attributed to the economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted shipping and increased energy costs.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration releases executive order directing warning signs at Smithsonian's National Museum of American History — President Trump released an executive order on July 25, 2026, directing federal officials to install signs outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History informing visitors that the museum presents history inaccurately. The order cites a 162-page White House report released July 4 that accuses the museum of "extreme political activism," "anti-White activism," "transgender activism," and supporting illegal immigration. The signs are to direct visitors to "locations and resources for accurate information regarding America's history" without specifying where those resources are located.
• Executive Order on Smithsonian Institution — On July 24, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14415, titled "Restoring Trust in the Smithsonian Institution." The order directed the National Park Service to place temporary signage outside the Smithsonian to correct what the administration deemed inaccurate information presented inside the museum. This action follows the release of a critical report on the museum's portrayal of American history.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon allocates $58.5bn to AI research under former Uber executive oversight — The Trump administration's defense budget allocates $58.5bn to artificial intelligence research, overseen by Emil Michael, former Uber executive and head of the Pentagon's research and engineering division. Michael, while in his first months in office, reportedly made millions in profits—between 400% and 4,800%—on his personal investment in Elon Musk's xAI company, creating a potential conflict of interest between his Pentagon role and private financial interests in AI ventures.
• Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital allocates $20bn under private equity leadership — The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital, functioning as a private equity arm of the Department of Defense, is allocated $20bn in the Trump budget. The office is presided over by a former employee of Cerberus Capital, the private equity firm formerly headed by Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg. Last year, the office committed $620m to a mining company backed by a fund tied to Trump's son Donald Jr., exemplifying the blending of private equity interests with defense spending.