Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Senate Democrats block NDAA advancement to protest Trump's Iran hostilities — Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, blocked advancement of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Tuesday in protest of Trump's resumption of military hostilities with Iran. The blockade denied the bill the 60 votes needed to clear the Senate. Democrats cited an ongoing exchange of fire between the US and Iran, occurring despite passage of a war powers resolution last month intended to force a ceasefire. The NDAA authorizes $1.15 trillion in defense spending and includes military pay increases and weapons funding.

Supporting reports

• Todd Blanche held a closed-door meeting with Republican Senate leadership to address concerns about a $1.8 billion DOJ "weaponization fund" designed to compensate Trump allies and January 6 defendants, resulting in significant GOP opposition and procedural delays. — White House Counsel Todd Blanche met with Senate Republicans for nearly two hours to defend a $1.8 billion DOJ fund intended to compensate individuals deemed victims of political "weaponization," including January 6 Capitol riot defendants and Trump associates. The meeting was reportedly hostile, with as many as 25 GOP senators speaking in opposition. Multiple Republican senators publicly criticized the fund as fiscally irresponsible, legally unprecedented, and damaging to party electoral prospects. The controversy delayed completion of the reconciliation bill, with Senate leadership announcing a recess until June. Senators proposed conditions including restrictions on who could receive payouts and oversight of fund administration.
• Republican senators meet with acting attorney general over slush fund — Republican senators held a nearly two-hour meeting with acting attorney general Todd Blanche to express opposition to the slush fund and immunity agreement. Senators reported the meeting was "incredibly hostile." Republicans stated they had received no advance warning, questioned the legal basis for the fund, objected to Blanche's explanations of payment mechanisms, and declared they wanted no involvement. As many as 25 Republican senators spoke against the fund and proposed limits on it.
• Multiple Republican senators publicly opposed the $1.8 billion DOJ weaponization fund, with Sen. Thom Tillis warning the fund could damage GOP electoral prospects and Sen. Mitch McConnell calling it "morally wrong." — Republican senators including Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and John Curtis publicly criticized the $1.8 billion DOJ fund. Tillis warned that White House indifference to electoral consequences was "stupid" and would harm the president. McConnell called the fund "utterly stupid, morally wrong." Cassidy noted Americans prioritize basic needs over funding for presidential allies. Collins stated she opposed reimbursing individuals convicted of violence against police on January 6. Murkowski described the fund as a disruption to planned reconciliation efforts. Paul called the arrangement "unprecedented." Curtis expressed dissatisfaction with Blanche's explanations. One GOP senator texted that "our majority is melting down before our eyes."
• Senate Republicans Oppose Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund — Senate Republicans are in open revolt against President Trump's $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, leading to the collapse of their own reconciliation bill. The fund, perceived as a slush fund, has caused significant division within the party, prompting Senate Majority Leader John Thune to send senators home until June. This internal conflict highlights the challenges facing the Republican Party in maintaining unity.
• Todd Blanche met with Republican senators over $1.8 billion criminal slush fund — Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Republican senators to discuss Trump's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. Sen. Ted Cruz described the meeting as having "fireworks at an epic level" and "one of the roughest meetings" he had seen in the Senate, with senators "screaming at the AG." The fund has been the subject of intense criticism from GOP senators over its purpose and implementation.

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• Tennessee House Speaker stripped Democrats from committee assignments — On May 12, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from their standing committee and subcommittee assignments, citing disruption during the special session redistricting vote. Sexton's letter accused Democratic lawmakers of interlocking arms, blocking aisles, and using prohibited props or noisemakers. Rep. Justin Pearson stated the removal affected "me and every Democrat, and therefore every Black elected official in the state legislature." Reps. Justin Jones, Gabby Salinas, and Gloria Johnson confirmed removal. Lt. Governor McNally's office indicated additional actions against participants may be under review.
• Tennessee House speaker removed all House Democrats from standing committees — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, claiming they had behaved in a way "aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative processes" as they protested the mid-decade redistricting that eliminated Tennessee's only majority-Black, Democratic district. State Representative Justin J. Pearson noted the removal stripped "every Black elected official in the state legislature from any committee we served on" and removed representation for "nearly 2 million Tennesseans."
• Tennessee House Speaker stripped Democratic lawmakers of committee assignments in retaliation for protest — Tennessee House speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, stating they had behaved in a way "aimed at disrupting the democratic and legislative processes" as they protested mid-decade redistricting that eliminated Tennessee's only majority-Black, Democratic district. State representative Justin J. Pearson noted that this action removed "every Black elected official in the state legislature from any committee we served on" and stripped "nearly 2 million Tennesseans from the representation they deserve."
• Tennessee House speaker removes all Democrats from committees — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed House Democrats from their standing committee and subcommittee assignments following their protests during a special legislative session. This action occurred after Republican lawmakers approved a new congressional map that dismantles Tennessee's only majority-Black congressional district by splitting Black voters across three majority-white districts. Committee removal reduces the legislative voice of both the affected lawmakers and their constituents.
• — On May 12, 2026, Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton removed all House Democrats from standing committees, citing their protests against the mid-decade redistricting as disruptive to legislative processes. This action effectively stripped representation from nearly 2 million Tennesseans, including all Black elected officials in the state legislature.

Supporting reports

• House Armed Services Committee received Iran war briefing with no clear strategy — Defense and intelligence officials briefed House Armed Services Committee members on the Iran war, with both Republicans and Democrats expressing frustration about lack of clarity and information regarding Trump's strategy. A congressional source stated: "There was no plan, no strategy, no end game shared, and they didn't give any answers." Much of the frustration centered on the prospect of deploying U.S. ground troops into Iran without clear objectives or protection plans.

Supporting reports

• House Oversight Committee chair issues subpoena to Attorney General Bondi — House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) formally issued a subpoena requiring Attorney General Pam Bondi to appear before the committee on April 14 to testify under oath regarding DOJ handling of Epstein files.
• House Oversight Committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi over Epstein investigation — On March 17, the Republican-led House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena requiring Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and associates, as well as DOJ compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Later that day, Democratic committee members walked out of a private briefing with Bondi after she refused to commit to complying with the subpoena and providing a deposition.
• House committee subpoenas Attorney General Pam Bondi over Epstein files handling — The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Republican James Comer, formally subpoenaed Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify about the Department of Justice's handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized the DOJ for improperly redacting material, withholding names of potential criminals, and exposing survivor personal information. Bondi is required to appear for a deposition on April 14, 2026. The subpoena followed a March 4 committee vote in which five Republicans joined Democrats to authorize it.

Supporting reports

• Rep. Beatty sues to block Kennedy Center name change — Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, sued the Trump administration to block the Center's name change, calling the move a "flagrant violation of the rule of law." The suit challenges the administration's authority to unilaterally alter the name of a congressionally chartered institution.
• Democratic lawmaker sues Trump over Kennedy Center renaming — Democratic U.S. Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump on Monday challenging the Kennedy Center board's vote to rename the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the "Trump-Kennedy Center." Beatty, an ex-officio trustee, argued the renaming violates federal law requiring congressional approval and alleged she was muted and prevented from speaking during the board vote. The Trump administration announced the "unanimous" board vote last week, and workers have already changed the name on the building's exterior.

Supporting reports

• Representative Massie criticized House Republicans for rubber-stamping Trump — Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) commented on reports of House Republican discontent with Speaker Mike Johnson, stating: "You have a lot of intelligent, hard-working people who gave up a lot of things to be here in Congress, only to find out that all they get to do is come here and rubber stamp whatever Trump wants, and that's kind of humiliating."

Supporting reports

• Republicans maintain House shutdown and refuse Democratic negotiation — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) kept the House out of session during the government shutdown, and Republicans refused to negotiate with Democrats in the normal legislative process. Trump departed for Asia for a week, leaving the shutdown unresolved. This posture indicates a deliberate Republican strategy to avoid compromise and force Democrats to capitulate on their demand for extension of the premium tax credit for healthcare.
• Speaker Johnson canceled House business for the week of October 27, extending a 17-week pattern of minimal legislative activity — Speaker Mike Johnson announced the cancellation of House business for the week beginning October 27, 2025. Over the preceding 17 weeks, the House has convened on Capitol Hill for only 20 days total. This scheduling decision means the House will not reconvene before November 1, when at least 25 states have announced they cannot continue distributing SNAP benefits to over 42 million Americans without federal appropriations. The extended recess occurs amid a government funding impasse between Republicans and Democrats over healthcare subsidies and Medicaid restoration.
• Speaker Mike Johnson held press conference claiming House Republicans are working meaningfully while House remains adjourned. — Speaker Mike Johnson held his daily shutdown press conference, claiming that House Republicans are "doing some of the most meaningful work of their careers in their districts" while the House has been adjourned for 84 of the last 96 days, resulting in only 12 days of legislative work over three months. Members continue to receive full pay and benefits. Johnson's statement contrasts with the Senate, which has continued working, suggesting the House adjournment is not necessitated by the shutdown but rather serves another purpose.
• House Speaker announces no votes scheduled for following week; chamber inactive for six weeks — Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House of Representatives would not conduct business during the following week. The House had not held a vote since September 19, leaving the chamber inactive for six weeks while members remained absent from Washington and did not conduct town halls in their districts.

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Johnson refuses to seat elected representative Adelita Grijalva — House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to seat representative-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who was elected by voters on September 23, 2025, to fill a vacant House seat. Johnson has offered successive reasons to delay her seating. Without being sworn in, Grijalva has no access to government resources, cannot represent her constituents, and cannot provide the 218th signature needed on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.
• House adjourned for 77 of last 89 days to block Epstein files release vote — Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House adjourned for 77 of the previous 89 days, with House Republicans working only 12 days in three months. The stated purpose was to prevent a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Rep. Marjorie Greene publicly disagreed with the shutdown strategy, calling for the House to return to work on appropriations and legislation.
• House Speaker Johnson refuses to call House into session, blocking swearing-in of representative-elect Grijalva — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is refusing to call the House into session, keeping members out of Washington and preventing the swearing-in of representative-elect Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), who was elected on September 23. Johnson claims that keeping the House out of session prevents him from swearing in Grijalva, though speakers have sworn in representatives during pro forma sessions in the past. Grijalva has stated she will be the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.
• Johnson dismisses Grijalva lawsuit as "absurd" and "publicity stunt" — House Speaker Mike Johnson responded to the Arizona lawsuit by calling it "absurd" and characterizing it as "a publicity stunt." The lawsuit had noted that Johnson's excuse for delaying Grijalva's swearing-in—that former Speaker Nancy Pelosi delayed swearing in Representative Julia Letlow—was inaccurate; Pelosi had contacted Letlow to determine when she wished to be sworn in.
• Arizona sued House Speaker Mike Johnson to compel swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva — Arizona sued House Speaker Mike Johnson and the U.S. House of Representatives to compel the swearing-in of Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election last month. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes argued the delay violates the constitutional rights of the district's 800,000 residents to representation. Democrats said the delay is politically motivated, as seating Grijalva could give Democrats the 218th signature needed for a discharge petition to force a vote for the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
• Arizona and Grijalva sue House of Representatives over refusal to swear in elected representative — The state of Arizona and representative-elect Adelita Grijalva filed suit against the House of Representatives over Speaker Johnson's refusal to swear Grijalva into office, thus depriving her Arizona constituents of representation. Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes argued that a duly elected representative who meets constitutional qualifications cannot be denied office simply because the Speaker has decided to keep the House out of regular session. Mayes requested the court authorize someone else to swear Grijalva into office.
• Arizona Attorney General and elected representative sue Speaker Johnson over obstruction of swearing-in — On October 21, 2025, Adelita Grijalva and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against the House of Representatives challenging Speaker Johnson's refusal to swear in Grijalva. The lawsuit argues that the Constitution does not authorize the Speaker to deny a duly elected representative her office to prevent her from signing a discharge petition or to strengthen the Speaker's negotiating position on budget matters. Mayes contends that Johnson "has not identified any valid reason for refusing to promptly seat Ms. Grijalva" and that the delay injures Grijalva and Arizona voters by denying representation for a significant portion of the two-year term. The lawsuit requests that if Johnson continues to delay, Grijalva be sworn in by another authorized official.
• House Republican leadership claims Trump exonerated in Epstein files — House Republican leadership, represented by Rep. James Comer, claimed that evidence gathered does not implicate President Trump in any way regarding the Epstein files. Comer stated that public reporting, survivor testimony, and official documents show Bill Clinton had far closer ties to Epstein. The files remain unreleased to the public.
• Arizona sues Mike Johnson to block swearing-in of elected Democrat Adelita Grijalva — Arizona's Democratic attorney general Kris Mayes filed suit against House Speaker Mike Johnson to compel him to swear in Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat elected to Congress on 23 September in Arizona's seventh district. Johnson has refused to schedule her swearing-in since early October, citing the ongoing government shutdown. Grijalva cannot access her office fully or vote without being sworn in. The lawsuit alleges Johnson is denying Arizona's district representation and suspects he is blocking her to prevent her from becoming the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files.
• Rep.-elect Grijalva blocked from being sworn in — Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva has been blocked from being sworn in by Speaker Mike Johnson, an unprecedented move that prevents her from voting on critical legislation.

Supporting reports

• Republican congressional leaders refuse to negotiate with Democrats on government reopening — Republican congressional leaders are refusing to engage in negotiations with Democrats to reopen the federal government, instead attempting to force Democrats to comply with Republican demands without discussion or compromise. This occurs despite 78% of Americans, including 59% of Republicans, supporting the Democratic demand for an extension of the tax credit that lowers healthcare premium costs on Affordable Care Act markets. More than three-quarters of those insured through ACA markets live in states that voted for Trump.

Supporting reports

• House Speaker Delays Swearing-in of New Representative — House Speaker Mike Johnson postponed the swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative Adelita Grijalva, which has been interpreted as a delay tactic regarding a vote on releasing files related to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
• House Speaker Johnson delays House return and swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent House members home until October 14, delaying the return to session that was scheduled for Monday. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) noted that Johnson appears to be delaying the swearing-in of newly elected Arizona representative Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat. Grijalva has indicated she will sign a discharge petition that needs only one more signature to force a House floor vote on instructing the Department of Justice to release files from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's actions.
• Speaker Johnson delayed swearing in newly elected congresswoman — Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed the swearing in of newly-elected Arizona Democrat Adelita Grijalva, whose vote is needed to bring the Epstein Files Transparency Act to the floor for a vote. Grijalva won her election in a landslide two weeks prior, but Johnson has not sworn her in despite southern Arizona being without representation for seven months following the death of the previous representative. Johnson told Meet the Press the delay "has nothing to do with that" and called it "totally absurd," but his office has not responded to requests for comment on when he will swear her in.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed Republicans are working to fix healthcare while sending House home until October 14 — Speaker Johnson stated on camera that "Republicans are the ones concerned about healthcare. Republicans are the party working around the clock everyday to fix healthcare. This is not talking points for us: we've done it." However, Johnson simultaneously sent the House home until October 14. The statement appears to refer to Republican cuts to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in their July budget reconciliation bill, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will increase the number of uninsured Americans by 10 million by 2034.
• Speaker Johnson delays House return and blocks Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House on recess for a second consecutive week, stating he would not call the chamber back into session until government funding is restored. He also announced he would not swear in newly elected Democratic representative Adelita Grijalva until the House returns. Republican Thomas Massie accused Johnson of using the recess to delay a discharge petition vote on releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which Massie said had reached 218 signatures—enough to force a floor vote.
• House Republicans blocked swearing in of Arizona Democrat — House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, refused to swear in Arizona's newly elected Democrat, Adelita Grijalva. This decision is seen as an effort to prevent Democrats from obtaining the final vote needed to release the Epstein files.
• Speaker Johnson claimed he votes with Trump because "that's my party" — During a CSPAN call-in program, a caller asked Speaker Mike Johnson if he had ever voted against anything Trump has proposed in terms of policy. Johnson responded: "I typically vote with President Trump because that's my party."
• Speaker Johnson refused to swear in Rep. Adelita Grijalva and blamed Chuck Schumer — During a CSPAN call-in program, a caller asked why Speaker Johnson had sworn in other members during pro forma sessions but refused to swear in Adelita Grijalva. Johnson blamed Chuck Schumer and stated that two Florida members had their families and supporters in town, so "as a courtesy to them, went ahead and administer the oath." He stated this had "zero to do with Epstein" and was "for maximum transparency." Rep. Marge Greene subsequently stated on CNN that the House should be in session and that Grijalva "does deserve to be sworn in," and questioned whether the delay was to avoid a discharge petition. Rep. Ro Khanna stated on MSNBC that the House is not even holding votes to pay troops because they are "so concerned about swearing Grijalva in" and that "the only reason they're not doing this is because of the Epstein files."
• House Speaker Johnson cancels fourth week of House session — House Speaker Mike Johnson announced cancellation of another week of House sessions, marking the fourth week he has kept House members away from their jobs since September 19. The extended recess prevents the House from working on the overdue budget, necessary appropriations bills, extension of healthcare premium tax credits, and swearing in Representative Adelita Grijalva, whose vote would provide the 218th signature on a discharge petition to force a vote on releasing files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Supporting reports

• Speaker Johnson blocks bipartisan Epstein files release resolution before August recess — Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not bring a bipartisan resolution to release the Epstein files to the House floor before the August recess. The resolution is sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and is supported by at least 7 Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Greene. Johnson stated his belief that "we need the administration to have the space to do what it is doing." The resolution is certain to pass if brought to a vote.
• House Republicans call early recess to avoid voting on Epstein files release — The Republican-controlled House of Representatives announced it would end its legislative week one day early, moving the final votes from Thursday to Wednesday, ahead of the five-week summer recess. Democrats accused Republicans of fleeing to avoid politically difficult votes on amendments demanding release of Jeffrey Epstein case documents. Speaker Mike Johnson defended the decision as protecting victims, while the GOP majority declined to directly address whether the Epstein issue prompted the early departure.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson sent members home without voting on Epstein files release — House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) sent members of the House of Representatives home early for their summer break without holding a vote on whether to release the Epstein files. The House will not reconvene until September 2, effectively postponing any legislative action on the matter.
• Speaker Johnson shut down the House to block Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home early for summer recess and canceled all scheduled votes and business to prevent a bipartisan vote on releasing Epstein-related documents. House Republicans lost control of the floor due to bipartisan pressure. Rep. Thomas Massie's discharge petition will ripen in September, forcing a vote unless the Trump administration releases documents satisfying Republican concerns by August. Johnson stated he would wait until August to give the Trump administration time to release the documents.
• Speaker Mike Johnson sent House home until September to avoid Epstein files vote — Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home until September to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. Johnson claimed that release may not be necessary upon return because DOJ was working on releasing grand jury transcripts. However, the DOJ conceded it had no legal basis to unseal the transcripts, and the court denied the request. Judge Robin Rosenberg noted the court's "hands are tied" by the government's own concession that criminal procedure laws forbid unsealing grand jury testimony except in narrow circumstances.

Supporting reports

• California Senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed from DHS press conference — California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by federal agents from a Department of Homeland Security press conference while attempting to ask Secretary Kristi Noem a question. Padilla was performing congressional oversight of federal operations in Los Angeles related to the deployment of troops and ICE raids. He was handcuffed and forced to the ground but not detained. Padilla's office stated that he was exercising his duty to oversee federal government actions.
• California Senator Alex Padilla removed from press conference — During a press conference, California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed by federal agents when he attempted to ask questions about the immigration raids. Padilla, a ranking member of the judiciary subcommittee on immigration, was restrained and taken out of the room by Secret Service agents. The incident has drawn condemnation from California leaders and raised concerns about the suppression of political dissent and oversight.
• Democratic Senator Forcibly Removed from News Conference — Democratic Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed and handcuffed during a news conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The incident raises concerns about the treatment of elected officials and the suppression of dissent.

Supporting reports

• House Republicans Block Investigation into Hegseth's Use of Signal — House Republicans blocked an effort by Democrats to investigate Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal by adding a provision into a rule that prevents votes on "resolutions of inquiry." This move limits congressional oversight of executive actions.