Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump waives Russia sanctions legislation passed by Congress — President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 last month after bipartisan congressional passage, but issued an executive order on Friday waiving the sanctions, restrictions, and duties on Russia that were due to take effect on October 18. The legislation targeted Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers, and directed Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on top importers of Russian oil and gas. Trump's waiver comes amid his public criticism of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and a separate agreement to purchase Russian diesel.
• Trump waived Russia sanctions days before implementation — President Trump issued an executive order waiving sanctions on Russia that Congress had passed with overwhelming bipartisan support (86–11 in the Senate). The action drew immediate criticism from lawmakers of both parties, who characterized it as capitulation to Putin and a betrayal of Ukraine. Trump's stated rationale centered on reducing U.S. gas prices ahead of midterm elections on November 3, citing a diesel import deal with Russia. The move represented an escalation in Trump's alignment with Putin and contradicted congressional intent to pressure Russia economically during its invasion of Ukraine.
• Trump cancelled congressionally mandated sanctions on Russia — The Trump administration cancelled congressionally mandated sanctions on Russia. This action was part of a broader pattern of pro-Russia policy shifts including urging Europe to purchase more Russian gas, ordering military cutoff of Starshield satellite communications to Ukraine, and discussing joint economic projects with Russia.
• Trump waived sanctions on Russia that Congress had enacted — Trump waived sanctions on Russia that Congress, led by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, had pushed for. The action removed economic penalties previously imposed on Russia, reportedly as part of Trump's broader alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The waiver occurred amid Trump's simultaneous purchase of Russian diesel and his handling of Starlink connectivity over Ukraine during Russian military operations.
• Trump announced waiver of congressionally mandated Russia sanctions — Two days before congressionally mandated sanctions on Russia were set to take effect, Trump announced he would waive them. The sanctions had been enacted by Congress as a binding requirement, but Trump exercised executive authority to suspend their implementation, circumventing the legislative mandate.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration investigated Representative Ilhan Omar's citizenship paperwork with intent to strip citizenship — Federal agents, acting under Trump administration direction, conducted a search of Representative Ilhan Omar's home on Monday, seizing her cellphone, notebooks, personal computers, and passport. According to Wall Street Journal reporting, the investigation targets citizenship paperwork completed by her father in the 1990s when the family arrived from a refugee camp in Kenya, with the stated goal of finding grounds to strip her of U.S. citizenship and deport her. Omar is running for reelection with Election Day less than a month away. DOJ rules caution prosecutors against actions that could affect elections or create such perception.
• Federal agents search home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar — Federal agents searched the home of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar on Monday as part of a criminal investigation. More details about the investigation were not immediately clear. Vice President JD Vance has previously accused Omar of committing immigration fraud without offering evidence and stated that he and deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller had been discussing how to investigate the Minnesota congresswoman and "what the legal remedies are" now that they believe "she's committed immigration fraud." Omar's chief of staff Connor McNutt responded that the accusation was "a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract" from the administration's unpopular policies. Omar posted after the raid: "This is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement. For 10 years, Trump has targeted me with baseless lies and smear campaigns. This is just the latest escalation in his campaign of political intimidation."
• Trump administration and DOJ attack on Representative Ilhan Omar — Representative Ilhan Omar faced what the article describes as a "devastating attack by Trump and the DOJ." The article references this incident as a basis for urging supporters to donate to her campaign and offer support via her office phone line. No specific charges, legal action, or enforcement detail is provided in the text; the nature and timing of the attack are not elaborated.

Supporting reports

• Federal prosecutors seek indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson for perjury — Federal prosecutors are attempting to obtain a grand jury indictment in Washington, D.C., against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Trump's first-term chief of staff Mark Meadows, for perjury. Hutchinson worked in the White House during the period when Trump was attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and testified before Congress about Trump's behavior during that time.

Supporting reports

• Justice Department pursues case against Representative LaMonica McIver — The administration has an ongoing criminal case against New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver, accusing her of assaulting immigration agents in a skirmish outside Delaney Hall detention center in which no one was hurt. If convicted, McIver faces up to 17 years in prison. Both Omar and McIver are women of color, and the cases represent attempts by the administration to intimidate Democratic representatives.

Supporting reports

• Department of Homeland Security conducts predawn raid on Representative Ilhan Omar's home — Agents from the Department of Homeland Security conducted a predawn raid on the Washington, D.C., home of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on October 12. The Justice Department claimed the search stems from a criminal fraud investigation into immigration paperwork filled out by Omar's late father in the 1990s when Omar was a child. Legal analysts noted the timing violates longstanding DOJ norms against overt investigative steps in the period before an election that might influence its outcome.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration classifies Taiwan military aid accounting — The Trump administration has classified its accounting of what happened to $300 million in military aid Congress provided for Taiwan, leaving lawmakers without a public answer about whether the money was ultimately committed after a September 30 deadline. The classification obscures the administration's handling of the Taiwan aid money just days after Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. Lawmakers in both parties have previously expressed concerns that Trump could use U.S. security assistance for Taiwan as leverage in talks with Beijing. The money was not obligated by the deadline, and because the status of the funding is classified, it remains unclear whether officials preserved it through another mechanism or allowed it to expire.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration obligates $175m in human rights funds to far-right causes before fiscal deadline — With hours remaining before fiscal year-end, the Trump State Department obligated more than $175 million from the Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) to 43 awards, including a $40 million anti-communism grant, support for white Afrikaner rights groups in South Africa, campaigns against Brazil's supreme court, and programs in Europe promoting "western civilizational norms" and opposing "gender ideology." Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally signed a memo to disregard 10 congressional holds totaling $22 million. The action bypassed bipartisan congressional concerns and redefines human rights funding toward ideological allies rather than traditional human rights defenders.

Supporting reports

• Administration refuses to spend $810 million Congress appropriated — On September 26, the Trump administration announced it is refusing to spend $810 million that Congress appropriated on a bipartisan basis for research in Health and Human Services and programs serving immigrants and minority groups, characterizing the spending as "wasteful and harmful government spending that does not benefit American citizens." The Government Accountability Office has determined that such "pocket rescissions" are unconstitutional, as they violate the constitutional requirement that the president "take care that the laws be faithfully executed" and usurp Congress's power of the purse.
• Administration announced refusal to spend approximately one billion dollars Congress appropriated for programs helping Americans — On Friday, September 27, the Trump administration announced it was refusing to spend approximately one billion dollars that Congress had appropriated for programs designed to help the American people. The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) stated that this refusal to spend congressionally appropriated funds is illegal. The action came as the administration faced criticism over other spending decisions and policy implementations.
• Sen. Collins denounced $810 million in pocket rescissions — Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) posted on X that Congress received an $810 million package of pocket rescissions from the administration without warning or consultation. Collins stated this represents an attempt by OMB to undermine Congress's constitutional power of the purse, violating the Impoundment Control Act. She noted the OMB intentionally withheld funds for months to execute the unlawful cancellation of bipartisan appropriations. Collins pledged to work with colleagues to address the illegal actions.
• Government Accountability Office found Trump's funding cancellation unconstitutional — The Government Accountability Office sent a letter to congressional leaders on September 29 stating that Trump's cancellation of $810 million in federal funding, primarily for Health and Human Services programs serving refugees and asylum seekers, violated the Constitution. Trump used the "pocket rescission" process to bypass Congress, ensuring the funds would go unspent before the end of the fiscal year.
• Complaint filed: State of California et al. v. Trump (N.D. Cal. 3:26-cv-11185) — Seven states (California, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon) filed a complaint in the Northern District of California challenging President Trump's Sept. 25, 2026 rescission of $810 million in federal appropriations, including $567 million for refugee and entrant assistance at HHS. The states allege the administration timed the rescissions to expire before Congress could act under the Impoundment Control Act and withheld additional funds as "quiet impoundments." They seek declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and an order compelling the administration to obligate and spend the withheld funds, arguing the impoundments violate the separation of powers, the Presentment Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
• Complaint filed: State of New York v. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — The State of New York filed suit in federal district court challenging HUD's decision not to obligate $56.1 million in congressionally appropriated funds for the Housing Counseling program. Trump announced a "pocket rescission" of the funds on September 25, 2026, citing alleged failure to reduce delinquencies and claiming grantees pursued "DEI-centric discriminatory agendas." New York alleges HUD exceeded its statutory authority, violated the Administrative Procedure Act, and breached the mandatory obligation requirement in 12 U.S.C. § 1701x(a)(4)(A). The state seeks declaratory relief, vacatur of HUD's decisions, and an order compelling full obligation of the appropriation.
• Trump administration withheld $810 million in congressionally allocated funds — The Trump administration is refusing to spend $810 million in funds that Congress allocated. More than half of the withheld money—over $405 million—is designated for programs supporting refugees, asylees, and other non-citizens. The impoundment represents an assertion of executive power over congressionally mandated spending.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration establishes NIH grant-veto board aligned with presidential agenda — The Trump administration is establishing an executive order creating an external board to approve National Institutes of Health grant funding. The board, to include OMB Director Russell Vought and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, would require unanimous decisions and could veto biomedical research grants deemed misaligned with Trump's political priorities. This breaks with the NIH's traditional merit-based evaluation process. The move follows administration accusations that the NIH funds "woke" initiatives and comes amid a class-action lawsuit by researchers alleging First Amendment violations through ideological censorship of grant awards.
• Trump directed budget director to create political appointee board for NIH grants — Trump directed his budget director Russ Vought to draft an executive order creating a board of political appointees to decide which grants the National Institutes of Health should fund. This represents another attempt to cut Harvard's funding and place political control over the nation's $48 billion in congressionally-appropriated biomedical research funding. Congress this month signaled disapproval of an earlier Vought plan to give political appointees control of health grants by including a provision in a stopgap funding bill that temporarily blocks the administration from implementing that earlier plan. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins personally rejected Vought's plan.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice expands executive privilege to shield private advisers — On taking office, Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memo dramatically expanding executive privilege. The new definition allows the president to shield "presidential communications with private advisers" where advisers include "anyone the President consults outside the Executive Branch." This expansion would enable the White House to defy congressional subpoenas for testimony from private citizens, companies, and college officials—a tactic Democrats had planned to use in investigations if they regained control of Congress.
• DOJ Office of Legal Counsel issued opinion extending executive privilege to private advisors — The DOJ Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion allowing the president to claim executive privilege over communications between the president and "private advisors," extending to direct advisors' communications with outside advisers. The opinion was characterized as having broad implications for congressional oversight, particularly if Democrats gain control of the House and attempt to investigate Trump through subpoenas.

Supporting reports

• Senate committee obtains copy of Fauci's iPhone and weighs contempt charges — Senator Ron Johnson, chair of the Senate homeland security permanent subcommittee on investigations, announced that his committee obtained a backup copy of Anthony Fauci's iPhone, used during Fauci's tenure as NIAID director and during the Covid-19 pandemic response. The phone was transferred by the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Johnson stated the device would address questions Fauci refused to answer at a hearing on July 29, where Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right dozens of times. The committee is weighing whether to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress.
• Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt of Congress — The Republican-controlled Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee voted to refer Dr. Anthony Fauci for contempt of Congress after he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a July 29 hearing on his Covid-19 pandemic response. Committee chair Rand Paul argued Fauci's pardon negated his right to invoke self-incrimination protections. The committee voted to refer the matter to the Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution, though a full Senate vote would normally be required and Democrats warned the process violated constitutional protections.
• Senate Committee Holds Dr. Fauci in Contempt — The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during questioning. This action reflects ongoing political tensions and scrutiny of public health officials.
• Senate Republicans vote to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt of Congress — Republican senators voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in contempt of Congress for invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent during a Senate Homeland Security and Government Oversight Committee hearing on July 29. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times as Republican senators taunted and berated him. All Democrats voted against the contempt measure.
• Senate Committee Votes to Hold Dr. Fauci in Contempt — The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions during a hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vote follows Fauci's invocation of the Fifth Amendment over 100 times. The committee, led by Sen. Rand Paul, bypassed the full Senate and sent the contempt referral directly to the DOJ, a move criticized by Democrats as illegitimate.

Supporting reports

• Trump made unsubstantiated claims about Iran war justification — During his Michigan rally speech, Trump stated that the justification for the Iran war is simply "because we cannot let them have a nuclear weapon" and claimed this is "all you have to say" with "nothing else you have to say." This framing dismisses the need for detailed explanation, evidence, or Congressional deliberation on the rationale for ongoing military operations.

Supporting reports

• Trump imposed tariffs under Section 301 of Trade Act of 1974 — When the 150-day deadline for Section 122 tariffs expired on Friday, July 25, 2026, Trump announced he was imposing tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president to impose tariffs on countries using forced labor. A senior administration official stated the tariffs address forced labor, a focus Trump has maintained for years. Law professor Barry Appleton noted that Section 301 allows permanent tariffs without congressional approval, suggesting the administration is seeking to bypass Congress entirely.
• Trump imposed tariffs under Section 122 of Trade Act of 1974 — After the Supreme Court invalidated the IEEPA-based tariffs, the Trump administration invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose tariffs in the case of an international financial emergency. These tariffs were limited to 150 days.
• Trump imposes new tariffs under emergency powers — President Trump announced the imposition of new tariffs on products from over 60 countries, claiming authority under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows tariffs in cases of forced labor. This follows a previous Supreme Court ruling that struck down earlier tariffs as unconstitutional. The administration's approach is seen as an attempt to bypass Congress's authority to raise revenue, which is constitutionally reserved for the legislative branch.
• Supreme Court struck down Trump tariffs as unconstitutional — The Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unconstitutional. Following the ruling, Trump announced he would find alternative legal mechanisms to reimpose tariffs, stating "We have alternatives. Great alternatives."

Supporting reports

• Trump held secret Camp David meeting with select House Republicans — On Friday, July 11, Trump called a select group of Republicans on the House Budget Committee to Camp David to develop a funding package for military spending that could pass through budget reconciliation without Democratic votes. Trump extended invitations only to far-right Freedom Caucus members, excluding more moderate Republicans on the committee. Attendees' phones were confiscated, and the meeting was kept secret. Budget Committee member Erin Houchin (R-IN) subsequently stated she was urging committee members to vote against the package.

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court strikes down 91-year-old precedent, grants president unlimited removal power over independent agencies — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Slaughter v. Trump that federal law restricting the president's ability to fire members of independent executive agencies (including the FTC) violates the constitutional separation of powers. The decision overruled Humphrey's Executor v. U.S., a 91-year-old precedent, and endorsed the "unitary executive" theory, granting the president sweeping authority over approximately two dozen multi-member agencies Congress intended to be independent.
• Supreme Court rules in Trump v. Slaughter to expand presidential removal power over independent agencies — On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president has broad authority to remove members of independent federal agencies, effectively overturning the 91-year-old Humphrey's Executor precedent. The decision arose from Trump's March 2025 firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. Fired officials and legal experts warn the ruling eliminates civil service protections, enabling politicization, corruption, and pay-to-play dynamics in federal agencies designed to operate independently.
• US Supreme Court rules Trump can fire independent agency leaders, overturning 90-year precedent — The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Slaughter that the president can fire leaders of independent agencies without cause, overturning the 1935 Humphrey's Executor precedent. The case centered on Trump's March 2025 firing of Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter via email. The ruling affects approximately two dozen agencies with multi-member bipartisan boards, including the FTC, NLRB, and Federal Reserve. Justices Sotomayor, Jackson, and Kagan dissented, arguing the decision grants the president unconstitutional power and defies centuries of political practice and congressional authority.
• Supreme Court rules president has unrestricted power to remove independent agency officials — The Supreme Court decided Slaughter v. Trump in a 6–3 decision, holding that the president has complete authority to remove officers from independent agencies established by Congress without cause. The case arose when Trump fired Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic FTC commissioner, claiming her service conflicted with his administration's priorities. The majority rejected 90 years of precedent requiring removal only for "inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance." Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson dissented, arguing the ruling grants the president power exceeding even the English Crown and undermines centuries of bipartisan practice protecting nonpartisan expertise in agencies like the FTC, EPA, SEC, and others.
• Supreme Court Affirms Federal Reserve Independence — The Supreme Court ruled in favor of maintaining the independence of the Federal Reserve, rejecting challenges that could have subjected the institution to increased political influence. This decision preserves the Fed's ability to operate without direct political pressure, which is crucial for maintaining economic stability and policy effectiveness.
• Supreme Court Decision Weakens Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court delivered a ruling that significantly weakens the authority of certain independent federal agencies. This decision could lead to increased political influence over these agencies, potentially affecting their ability to function autonomously and effectively.
• Supreme Court allows Trump to fire FTC commissioner and overturns major restraint on presidential power — The Supreme Court ruled that President Trump has the authority to fire the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, effectively overturning a significant limitation on presidential power. This decision marks a shift in the balance of power between the executive branch and independent federal agencies, potentially increasing presidential control over such agencies. The ruling could have far-reaching implications for the independence of federal regulatory bodies and the separation of powers within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court Overturns 90-Year-Old Independent Agency Protections — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent protecting members of independent agencies from being fired by the president without cause. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in dissent that the ruling "reshapes our government," noting that dozens of independent commissions are now likely to become purely executive agencies, shifting tremendous power over broad swaths of American life into the president's hands.
• Supreme Court Overturns Protections for Independent Agencies — The Supreme Court overturned a 90-year-old precedent that protected members of independent agencies from being fired without cause by the president. Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned that this decision could transform these agencies into executive-controlled entities, concentrating power in the presidency. This ruling is seen as a significant shift in the balance of power within the U.S. government.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Trump v. Slaughter (25-332) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Trump v. Slaughter. Docket number(s): 25-332.
• Trump claims unchecked power following Supreme Court ruling — Following the Supreme Court's decision in Slaughter v. Trump, President Trump stated that he now has the authority to remove heads of independent agencies at will, which he believes will allow him to control these agencies to serve his administration's interests. This claim raises concerns about the potential politicization of agencies that have historically operated independently of presidential influence.
• Supreme Court rules in favor of Trump in Slaughter v. Trump — On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in favor of President Donald J. Trump in the case of Slaughter v. Trump, allowing him to fire members of independent agencies created by Congress. This decision overruled nearly 90 years of precedent that limited presidential power over such agencies, asserting that the president has complete control over executive branch officials. The dissenting justices warned that this ruling undermines the independence of agencies designed to operate free from political influence.
• US Supreme Court rules president can fire independent agency heads at will — On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of President Trump in a case brought by former Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, who was fired in March. The court overturned a 90-year-old precedent by holding that the president has the right to remove the head of any federal government agency at will. The decision, justified through the unitary executive theory, grants the president sole total control over the executive branch and opens the door to what critics call an "imperial presidency."

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• Speaker Johnson pledged to shield Trump administration from congressional oversight — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke before Trump on June 26, 2026 and stated that if Republicans lose the midterm elections, Democrats will turn every congressional committee into an investigative body and target the president's family, cabinet, donors, and friends. Johnson stated: "I run the protection program. We'll take care of you," pledging to ensure that corruption and criminality in the Trump administration would be covered up by him and his committee chairs.

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• Trump cancels housing bill signing event — President Trump canceled a scheduled signing event for the housing bill, citing the need for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act first. This cancellation reflects his prioritization of voter eligibility legislation over housing reform, which could impact public perception and support for his administration.
• Trump threatens to withhold housing bill signature — President Trump announced he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill into law until Congress passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote. This announcement came after the Senate and House passed the housing measure aimed at increasing housing supply and affordability.
• Trump withholds signature on bipartisan housing bill pending passage of voter ID legislation — After the Senate and House overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan housing affordability bill designed to increase housing supply and prevent private equity from purchasing single-family homes, Trump announced he would not sign it into law until Congress passes the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to vote and mandates states surrender voting rolls to the federal government. Trump cancelled a scheduled housing bill signing ceremony, declaring the voter ID measure a "National Emergency."
• Trump refuses to sign housing bill pending Senate passage of voting restrictions measure — President Trump refused to sign a major housing bill that had passed with bipartisan majorities in Congress, conditioning its approval on the Senate advancing the Save America Act, a voting restrictions measure. This represents a continuation of Trump's linkage of unrelated legislative priorities, previously connecting the housing bill's passage to renewal of a foreign surveillance law. The standoff has created a legislative logjam and prompted House Republican leadership to cancel scheduled votes.
• Trump canceled bipartisan housing bill signing hours before ceremony — Roughly an hour before Trump was scheduled to sign bipartisan housing legislation on Capitol Hill alongside Republican leaders, he canceled the signing via social media post, calling the bill "of minor importance" and demanding Congress pass the SAVE Act first. The presidential seal-emblazoned table sat waiting in Statuary Hall as some top Republicans were mid-speech or press conference touting the bill, unaware the president had canceled.
• White House Press Secretary contradicted housing bill signing announcement — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted hours before Trump's refusal to sign the housing bill, announcing that "Trump will sign into law the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history," touting it as a bipartisan achievement and "promise made, promise kept." Trump then canceled the signing.
• Interior Department transferred taxpayer funds to Freedom 250 events — The Department of Interior transferred taxpayer money to the National Park Foundation for use in Freedom 250 events, and the National Park Service funded the Fourth of July fireworks display. Michael Scherer of The Atlantic reported this fact-check in response to Alexis Wilkins' claim that the celebration was not taxpayer-funded.
• Trump's construction projects carry over $1 billion in taxpayer costs — A New York Times analysis revealed that Trump's 18 major construction projects undertaken during his second term—including an East Wing ballroom, Kennedy Center renovations, National Garden of American Heroes, Lafayette Park, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and others—carry a potential cost exceeding $1 billion, with significant taxpayer expense despite Trump's claims of private funding.
• Trump demanded Senate pass SAVE Act before signing legislation — Trump announced he would not sign any additional legislation until the Senate passed the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), designed to restrict voting before the 2026 election. This conditional demand effectively halted all legislative activity and prompted House MAGA members to vote against procedural measures, leading Speaker Johnson to adjourn the House.
• Trump refused to sign bipartisan housing bill into law — President Trump declined to sign a landmark bipartisan housing bill after a midday confrontation with senators. The refusal followed Trump's demand that the Senate pass the SAVE Act to restrict voting before the 2026 election. Trump announced he would not sign any additional legislation until this voting-restriction measure advanced, effectively halting legislative activity and prompting Speaker Johnson to adjourn the House.
• House Freedom Caucus voted against procedural measures — Members of the far-right Freedom Caucus voted against procedural measures necessary for the House to conduct business, citing Trump's refusal to sign legislation as justification. Their obstruction rendered the House unable to accomplish any legislative work, prompting Speaker Johnson to adjourn members on Thursday.
• Senate Republicans voted against war powers resolution — Senate Republicans voted to reject advancing a war powers resolution that the Senate had passed the day before. The vote occurred after Trump's refusal to sign the housing bill and his confrontation with senators, appearing as an attempt to mollify the president following their brief assertion of independence.
• Trump canceled housing bill signing to leverage proof-of-citizenship voting requirement — President Trump canceled his scheduled signing of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Wednesday, June 25, stating he would not approve it until Congress passed his SAVE America Act, which includes a proof-of-citizenship voting requirement. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support (85–5 in Senate, 358–32 in House). Under the ten-day pocket-veto rule, the bill becomes law without Trump's signature if Congress remains in session and he does not veto it; Speaker Johnson indicated Trump will ultimately sign.
• Rep. Luna refused to reopen House floor pending Senate return — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) announced she would not vote to reopen the House floor until the Senate returned to Washington to act on the SAVE Act. Luna criticized Senate Majority Leader Thune for obtaining unanimous consent to adjourn, saying "Thune is running and hiding."
• Rep. Luna shut down House floor over SAVE Act demand — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) shut down the House floor, preventing any legislation from being brought up, because the Senate had not acted on the SAVE Act. Luna froze the House despite the fact that shutting down the floor does not accomplish anything in the Senate. Speaker Mike Johnson was unable to pass a rule or bring any legislation to a vote.
• Sen. Murkowski criticized Trump's housing bill obstruction — Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told CNN's Manu Raju that Trump's decision to hold up his own agenda by demanding action on the SAVE Act was "not helpful to him" and "not helpful to the country." She noted that "If you don't have the votes, sir, you don't have the votes" and said Trump's actions do not help chances of keeping the GOP majority, as people want Congress to focus on issues affecting them at home.
• Sen. Whitehouse warned of Republican dissension and Trump's destructive intent — Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) warned that Thune may be growing fed up with Trump and that dissension in the Republican Caucus may be growing. Whitehouse suggested that "The realization may be dawning that Trump prefers to take them all down with him than fail alone."
• Senate Majority Leader Thune adjourned Senate for 19 days — Senate Majority Leader John Thune obtained unanimous consent to adjourn the Senate for 19 days after Trump's last-minute cancellation of the housing bill signing. Thune declined to comment on Trump's reversal, saying "I guess I would say at this point I don't have any observations."

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• Trump berated Republican senators over war powers resolution vote — President Trump confronted Senators Bill Cassidy and three other Republicans at a Capitol Hill lunch, berating them for voting in favor of a war powers resolution that symbolically rebuked the White House's handling of the Iran war. Cassidy described the encounter as heated, stating he "raised [his] volume to match" Trump's. The confrontation centered on Trump's failure to brief Congress on the prosecution of hostilities with Iran, which Cassidy argued violated constitutional requirements for legislative oversight of military operations.
• Senate passes War Powers Resolution on Iran; Trump accuses four Republicans of disloyalty — The Senate passed a War Powers Resolution regarding Iran by a vote of 50–48. President Trump responded by accusing four Republican senators of giving "aid and comfort" to Iran, using language that echoes constitutional definitions of treason and suggesting disloyalty within his own party for voting against his position on Iran policy.
• Senate blocked binding Iran war-powers resolution after presidential pressure — On Wednesday evening, June 25, the Senate blocked a separate, binding war-powers resolution led by Senator Tim Kaine from advancing, 50–47, after the president spent the day pressuring Republicans who had voted for the non-binding measure the previous day. Trump called Senator Cassidy a "lunatic" in a closed-door lunch; by evening Cassidy voted no and Rand Paul voted present, leaving only Collins and Murkowski in support.
• Senate Republicans reject Iran war powers resolution after Trump pressure and intimidation — Senate Republicans voted 47-50-1 late Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution challenging Trump's Iran war, hours after Trump berated GOP senators at a Capitol lunch. Four Republicans, including Bill Cassidy, had voted with Democrats the previous day to block the war; Trump called them "losers" and "lunatics." Cassidy was summoned to a White House briefing by VP Vance and envoy Witkoff, then returned to vote against the measure. Rand Paul switched to "present" to give Trump negotiating space. The Senate then recessed for two weeks.
• Senate passes war powers resolution prohibiting military action against Iran — The U.S. Senate passed a war powers resolution that prohibits President Trump from conducting further military action against Iran. Trump responded by posting that the vote was "poorly timed and meaningless" and accused four Republican senators of voting with Democrats, claiming they had provided "aid and comfort to the Enemy" and made his job more difficult. The resolution reflects congressional pushback against Trump's military campaign against Iran, which strategic scholars have characterized as strategically failed.
• Cassidy and Trump engage in heated Capitol confrontation over Iran war — Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana had a heated argument with President Trump at a Capitol lunch on Wednesday. The dispute arose after Trump questioned why anyone would vote for a war powers resolution that Cassidy had supported with Democrats the day prior. Cassidy, who lost his primary race after Trump endorsed a rival, stood up and demanded transparency about the Iran conflict, which Trump said would last four weeks but has stretched four months without achieving objectives. Trump raised his voice and referenced Cassidy's electoral defeat; Cassidy matched his tone before de-escalating.

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• Trump cancels Jay Clayton's DNI confirmation hearing — On June 17 at 3:54 a.m. Washington time, Trump posted on Truth Social from France that he was cancelling the Senate Intelligence Committee's scheduled confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as permanent DNI, which was set to occur that day. Trump cited Democrats' alleged gamesmanship over the FISA extension and his desire to appoint a new U.S. attorney to replace Clayton. The practical effect was to ensure that Pulte would serve as acting DNI, as only two days remained before Gabbard's departure on June 19.
• Trump cancelled Senate confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton as DNI — On June 17, just hours before a Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing was scheduled to begin, Trump posted that "we are cancelling the Senate Hearing RE: DNI today." This action prevented the confirmation of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, allowing William Pulte to become acting DNI instead. Clayton had been nominated after members of both parties objected to Pulte's appointment, but Trump used the cancellation to bypass the Senate confirmation process entirely.

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• Trump signs $70bn DHS funding bill bankrolling mass deportation campaign through 2029 — President Trump signed legislation providing approximately $70bn in additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security through September 30, 2029, with $26bn allocated to Customs and Border Protection, $38bn to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and $5bn to DHS generally. The law funds immigration enforcement operations including personnel, 287(g) local police cooperation agreements, deportation attorneys, detention facility maintenance, and at least $350m for enforcement in sanctuary jurisdictions. The bill omits Democratic-requested accountability measures such as judicial warrant requirements, body cameras, and restrictions on enforcement near schools and churches.
• Trump administration signed $70 billion immigration enforcement funding package — The Trump administration signed a $70 billion funding package dedicated to immigration enforcement, announced while day laborers in Los Angeles discussed the escalating enforcement environment. The funding supports expanded ICE and border patrol operations nationwide.

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• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent Trump slush fund — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have prevented Trump from establishing a $1.776 billion slush fund with the assistance of appointed Department of Justice officials and would have barred payouts from such a fund to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to prevent William Pulte dual agency leadership — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred William Pulte, director of the Federal Housing and Finance Agency, from simultaneously serving as director of national intelligence. Trump has announced Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence through the midterm elections.
• Democrats blocked from amending budget reconciliation to restrict Trump ballroom use of federal funds — During Senate debate on the budget reconciliation measure, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic amendment that would have barred the use of federal funds or private donations for Trump's ballroom unless Congress explicitly approved such expenditures.
• Democrats propose amendments during budget reconciliation debate — During the budget reconciliation process for the funding of ICE and CBP, Democrats introduced amendments that led to an 18-hour debate, forcing Republicans to vote against several popular measures. These included proposals to prevent the establishment of a slush fund for Trump and to bar the use of federal funds for Trump's ballroom without Congressional approval.
• Republicans block proposals to limit Trump's funding powers — Senate Republicans blocked several Democratic proposals aimed at limiting Trump's ability to establish a slush fund and to prevent the use of federal funds for his ballroom without Congressional approval.

Supporting reports

• Trump intervenes in Louisiana Senate primary; Cassidy loses to Letlow in first round — Donald Trump encouraged US Representative Julia Letlow to challenge incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy and endorsed her candidacy, attacking Cassidy on social media as "disloyal" and a "terrible guy." In the May 17 primary, Letlow received 45.2% of the vote, Cassidy came third with 24.4%, advancing Letlow and state treasurer John Fleming to a June 27 runoff. Cassidy's vulnerability stemmed from his 2021 vote to convict Trump after January 6 and subsequent breaks with Trump on policy, including his opposition to Trump's surgeon general nominee.
• Sen. Bill Cassidy lost primary runoff after Trump campaign against him — Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial, failed to advance to a runoff in his reelection bid after Trump called for his ouster. Cassidy had voted to confirm RFK Jr. despite personal concerns about vaccine criticism. Trump posted that Cassidy's "disloyalty" and impeachment vote were now "a part of legend" and his political career was "OVER." Cassidy stated in his concession speech that when participating in democracy, one should not "pout," "whine," or "claim the election was stolen."
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Lauren Boebert and threatened to withdraw endorsement — Trump posted on Truth Social attacking Rep. Lauren Boebert for supporting Thomas Massie and called her a "carpetbagger" who moved districts when she could not win in her original district. Trump stated he would consider withdrawing his endorsement of Boebert if "the right person came along" to run against her. Boebert responded that she was not offended and remained committed to supporting Massie and the "America First" agenda.
• Trump posted attack on Rep. Thomas Massie before Tuesday election — Trump posted on social media attacking Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) ahead of Massie's Tuesday election, calling him "The Worst Republican Congressman in History" and urging Kentucky voters to "vote the bum out." Trump criticized Massie for voting against tax cuts, the border wall, military funding, and law enforcement. Massie responded that Trump's attacks indicated he was ahead in polls and that outside billionaires and AIPAC had funneled millions into his race.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate primary runoff — After months of deliberation, Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a primary runoff against Senator John Cornyn for Cornyn's Senate seat, scheduled for the following week. Trump called Paxton "a true MAGA Warrior" and criticized Cornyn for not being "supportive of me when times were tough." Political analysts noted the endorsement could benefit the Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton over John Cornyn — President Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn, a move that has humiliated Cornyn. This endorsement reflects Trump's influence within the Republican Party and could impact political dynamics and upcoming elections. The endorsement may also signal shifts in party loyalty and internal power struggles.
• Bill Cassidy loses Louisiana Senate primary after Trump endorsement of challenger — Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump after the January 6 insurrection, lost his Louisiana primary race after Trump backed challenger Julia Letlow. The loss reflects Trump's continued purge of Republicans who broke with him on constitutional accountability, extending the pattern of primary defeats for Trump critics across multiple states.
• Brad Raffensperger locked out of Georgia gubernatorial runoff after Trump opposition — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, a Trump critic, was eliminated from the Republican gubernatorial primary. Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and billionaire Rick Jackson advanced to a runoff, with the winner to face Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. Raffensperger's defeat represents another primary victory for Trump over a state official who resisted pressure to overturn the 2020 election.
• Thomas Massie defeated in Kentucky Republican House primary by Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein — In Kentucky's fourth congressional district primary, seven-term congressman Thomas Massie, a Trump critic, lost to Ed Gallrein, a retired Navy SEAL recruited by Trump. The race became the most expensive House primary in history at $25.6 million in spending. Trump had campaigned aggressively against Massie, calling him a "moron" and "nut job," dispatching Super PAC operatives and holding a rally denouncing him as "disloyal." Massie had broken with Trump over military action, spending, and the Epstein Files release. Gallrein will face the general election as the overwhelming favorite in the conservative district.
• Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate primary runoff — US President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state's Republican primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn, calling Paxton an "America First Patriot" and "MAGA Warrior" on Truth Social. The endorsement came ahead of the May 26 runoff election. Trump criticized Cornyn for insufficient support during difficult times and for being "very late" in backing his presidential run. Paxton, a hardliner aligned with Trump's Make America Great Again movement, faces Democrat James Talarico in the general election.
• Trump-backed Ed Gallrein defeats Thomas Massie in Kentucky House primary — Republican congressman Thomas Massie lost his House seat in Kentucky's fourth district primary on Tuesday to Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL backed by Donald Trump. Trump personally attacked Massie as a "moron," "nut job," and "major sleazebag," and dispatched strategists Chris LaCivita and Tony Fabrizio to lead a PAC supporting Gallrein. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also campaigned for Gallrein. Massie, a 14-year incumbent and Trump critic who led efforts to release the Epstein files and voted against Israel aid, was also targeted by pro-Israel groups spending millions against him.
• Trump intervenes in Republican primaries against incumbent senators — Trump has intervened in Republican primary elections to oppose Republican incumbents he views as insufficiently loyal to him. This pattern of intervention has exacerbated Republican frustration with the White House and contributed to the broader congressional rebellion against the slush fund and immunity agreement.
• Trump-backed candidate defeats Representative Massie in House primary — Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), who led efforts to release the Epstein files, lost his House primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein in what was the most expensive House primary ever, with outside spending reaching $35 million. Gallrein pledged to do whatever Trump tells him to do. The race occurred in a district Trump won by 35 points in 2024, but Gallrein won by only 10 points.
• Trump-backed candidates win primaries in Georgia and Alabama — Trump-backed primary candidates won House primaries in Georgia and Alabama, continuing a pattern of Trump-endorsed challengers defeating or replacing Republican incumbents and candidates who did not demonstrate absolute loyalty to Trump.
• Trump attacked Sen. Thom Tillis over disagreements — Trump posted criticism of Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), calling him "weak and ineffective" and a "Nitpicker" for fighting against Republican Party positions and Trump personally. Trump stated he refused to endorse Tillis for another run due to "too much work and drama," after which Tillis immediately quit the race and announced his retirement. Trump characterized Tillis as screwing the Republican Party with "RINO friends."

Supporting reports

• Trump announced plans for "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park — Trump announced via social media that he intends to place his "National Garden of American Heroes" in West Potomac Park. He referenced a 22-foot gold statue of himself at his Doral golf club and compared the project to China's Ballroom, stating the U.S. facility would be "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the U.S.A." with a scheduled opening around September 2028. The announcement came hours after his return from China.
• Freedom 250 planned events showcasing Trump rather than historical themes for 250th anniversary — Freedom 250 planned anniversary celebration events that prioritized showcasing President Trump over significant historical events and themes. Planned events included an IndyCar race around the National Mall, construction of a triumphal arch near the Lincoln Memorial, an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn on Trump's 80th birthday in June, and the "Rededicate 250" evangelical worship event.
• Trump administration created Freedom 250 organization to oversee 250th anniversary celebrations outside congressional oversight — In December 2025, President Trump created Freedom 250, a new organization to manage the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations, bypassing the bipartisan America250 commission established by Congress in 2016. The Trump administration allocated $100 million in federal appropriations to Freedom 250 compared to $50 million to America250. Freedom 250 solicited corporate donations in exchange for access to Trump from sponsors including ExxonMobil, Mastercard, Deloitte, Palantir, and IndyCar, with donors permitted to request anonymity.

Supporting reports

• FEMA denied disaster aid to Democratic-led states while accelerating aid to Republican states — Under Trump, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which helps people prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, has been denying aid to states with Democratic-led governments while speeding aid to Republican-dominated states. The pattern represents a weaponization of federal disaster relief based on partisan political alignment rather than need or merit.

Supporting reports

• Trump signs executive order directing DHS to immediately pay TSA agents during partial shutdown — President Trump signed an executive order on Friday, March 28, 2026, instructing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents who had gone without pay for over 42 days due to a partial government shutdown. The order came after House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed funding deal for key DHS subagencies. Trump blamed Democrats for prioritizing "criminal illegal aliens" over American citizens. DHS confirmed TSA began paying its workforce immediately, with officers potentially receiving paychecks by March 30. The shutdown had caused nationwide staffing shortages, record airport wait times, and nearly 500 TSA resignations.
• Trump signs presidential memorandum directing DHS to pay TSA employees from available funds — Trump signed a presidential memorandum late Friday, March 28, directing DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to restore pay to TSA employees who had missed two paychecks. The memo instructed the secretary to redirect funds "that have a reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations" to cover accrued pay and benefits. White House border czar Tom Homan stated the measure was "a start" but acknowledged thousands of other DHS employees remained unpaid and that ICE deployment at airports would continue pending TSA staffing recovery.
• Trump announces emergency order to pay TSA agents — President Trump announced he would sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents who have gone unpaid for over a month, although the legality and source of the funding remain unclear. This announcement came amid growing airport congestion and dissatisfaction with the handling of TSA funding.
• Trump issued executive order to pay TSA employees during 44-day DHS funding impasse — During a record-breaking 44-day Department of Homeland Security funding impasse, Trump issued an executive order to authorize payment of TSA employees. The shutdown resulted from Republican infighting between the House and Senate over DHS funding, with House Republicans rejecting a Senate proposal. House Speaker Johnson sided with House Republicans against Senate Majority Leader Thune's approach. TSA agents reported receiving only partial paychecks despite the executive order authorization.
• Trump declared national emergency to pay TSA officers during DHS shutdown — The White House issued a fact sheet stating that President Trump declared a national emergency to authorize payment of TSA officers who had gone unpaid during a Department of Homeland Security shutdown. The document claims Trump also deployed ICE officers to major airports to assist with crowd control and security. The fact sheet cites media reports indicating that TSA wait times improved after workers received back pay and absenteeism declined.
• Trump signs executive order directing TSA back pay during DHS partial shutdown — Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Transportation Security Administration to pay employees back pay during an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA employees received retroactive paychecks covering at least two full pay periods on Monday. The order instructed DHS to use funds with "reasonable and logical nexus to TSA operations" to cover salaries. Airport security lines reportedly shortened following the payment. Congress remains deadlocked over DHS funding, with Democrats and Republicans disagreeing over guardrails on immigration enforcement operations.