Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Guardian publishes explainer on 145 statewide ballot measures across 39 states in midterm elections — The Guardian reports on 145 statewide referendum measures voters will face in 39 states during the upcoming midterm elections. Key ballot initiatives include California's proposed billionaire wealth tax (Proposition 40), property tax measures in Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Tennessee, trans athlete and medical care restrictions in five states, noncitizen voting requirements in six states, and abortion rights protections in Idaho, Nevada, and Virginia. The article notes the long-run passage rate for referendums is approximately 41%.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces DC golf course renovation despite federal judge's halt order — Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on October 18 that renovation work on the historic East Potomac Golf Links would begin November 15, directly contradicting a federal judge's order halting tree removal and requiring notice before substantive construction. Judge Ana Reyes had previously ruled the government must pause work over environmental and historic preservation concerns. The judge responded by ordering the Trump administration to clarify by 8pm Sunday whether its legal position had changed from a Friday filing claiming only "preliminary thought" had been given to the project.

Supporting reports

• Federal search of Ilhan Omar's home and seizure of property — Federal agents conducted a search of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar's home and seized property, including her phone, as part of a criminal investigation into her immigration paperwork. Omar's attorneys filed a letter with the Department of Justice contending the search was "neither justified nor lawful" and demanding return of seized items and preservation of search recordings. The investigation was launched weeks before the November 3 midterm election in which Omar is a candidate. A DOJ spokesperson denied the allegations, stating agents complied with all court orders.

Supporting reports

• US Department of Justice sues California to block tabulation of ballots allegedly cast by noncitizens — The US Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit in the Central District of California seeking a court order to prevent the state from tabulating certain ballots in the midterm elections. The suit followed a demand sent to Los Angeles County officials on Tuesday containing a thumb drive with purported names of over 20,000 noncitizens registered to vote, with a 48-hour deadline to verify citizenship. Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber both refused to act on the unverified list, citing lack of methodology and security concerns. The DOJ seeks an injunction requiring California to set aside and independently verify citizenship status of flagged voters before tabulation.
• Justice Department Sues State of California over Voter List — The Department of Justice announced this on 2026-10-15 through Office of the Attorney General. The recorded stage is a complaint filed. The allegations are unadjudicated; this documents the announcement, not the truth of any allegation. The department's own account of it reads: "The Justice Department, working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), today filed a complaint against the State of California over its voter list after determining that more than 20,000 people who are likely aliens are registered to vote in California. Under California law, every registered voter is mailed a ballot. It is unlawful for aliens to vote in federal elections."

Supporting reports

• White House press secretary Katie Zacharia repeatedly claims to be a licensed attorney without evidence of bar admission — Katie Zacharia, appointed as Trump's press secretary, has publicly identified herself as a lawyer in multiple media appearances (Fox News, CNN, podcasts) since at least February 2026. Popular Information searched all 50 states and D.C. and found no evidence she has ever been admitted to practice law or passed a bar exam. She is not listed with the State Bar of California (where she claims to have worked as General Counsel), Texas, or D.C. When asked by Popular Information, the White House declined to provide evidence of her legal credentials, referring only to a Trump social media post calling her an attorney. In California, falsely holding oneself out as a lawyer while not admitted to the bar is a misdemeanor.
• White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia's false claims about legal credentials exposed — Popular Information reported that White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, appointed by President Trump, has publicly claimed for years to be a lawyer and held positions as "outside counsel" to the World Bank and "general counsel" to a California non-profit, but has no evidence of ever being licensed to practice law in any U.S. state. When confronted by reporters on the White House South Lawn on October 13, Zacharia gave incoherent responses about passing a bar exam in China—a jurisdiction where U.S. citizens cannot take bar exams and where states do not administer exams. Georgetown Law professor Mark Jia confirmed that even her claimed work as a "foreign legal consultant" at a Chinese law firm from 2011–2013 would not constitute being a licensed attorney, and questioned whether she held that position at all.
• White House declines to provide evidence of press secretary's legal credentials — Popular Information sent detailed questions to White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly asking whether Katie Zacharia was ever admitted to practice law in any state. The White House declined to answer substantively, responding only: "Refer you to the President's TRUTH on Katie," directing the inquiry to a Trump social media post that calls Zacharia an attorney. The White House provided no documentation, bar admission records, or other evidence supporting her claimed legal credentials.
• Katie Zacharia's bar exam failure revealed; investigation requested — White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, whom Trump has described as an "attorney," failed the California bar exam and is not licensed to practice law in any state. After Judd Legum of Popular Information noted the absence of evidence that Zacharia had passed the bar, the Wall Street Journal confirmed she failed the California bar exam. Democracy Defenders Fund, a nonpartisan organization led by attorney Norm Eisen, requested that the California State Bar and California Attorney General Rob Bonta investigate whether Zacharia practiced law without a license, which is a crime in California.

Supporting reports

• Texas executes Jamaal Howard by pentobarbital despite Pike execution complications — Texas executed Jamaal Howard on October 8, 2026, using pentobarbital, the same drug that failed in Christa Pike's execution. Howard was convicted in 2001 of fatally shooting convenience store clerk Vickie Swartout during a robbery. His legal team argued the execution should be halted given the documented problems with pentobarbital in Pike's case, but multiple courts refused to intervene.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed — New Mexico Wildlife Federation v. U.S. Department of the Interior — On October 8, 2026, conservation and border-region organizations filed suit in federal district court challenging the Department of the Interior's April 2025 transfer of approximately 110,000 acres of New Mexico public land to the Department of Defense for border security purposes and the Army's subsequent designation of the land as a restricted national defense area. Plaintiffs allege the land transfer violates the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Constitution's Army Clause, and seek vacatur of both the transfer order and the Army's designation orders, plus injunctions barring further implementation.

Supporting reports

• Trump states he could have prosecuted political opponents but chose restraint, then asserts presidential power is absolute — From the Oval Office on October 7, 2026, Trump told reporters he could have taken "very bad things" against Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Barack Obama but refrained out of respect for the presidency. He then stated "I can do whatever I want, if I want," asserting that despite two impeachments and actions by political opponents, he views the presidency as a "very sacred position" and retains unlimited executive authority.

Supporting reports

• Trump defies congressional authority in TIME magazine interview — The President of the United States openly defied Congress during a TIME magazine interview, according to the article. The specific nature of the defiance is not detailed in the text provided, but the article characterizes the President's statements as demonstrating "no grasp on reality at all" and notes the defiance as part of a pattern of constitutional violations occurring under the current administration.

Supporting reports

• Trump refuses to rule out declaring state of emergency before midterm elections — In a Time magazine interview, President Trump declined to rule out declaring a state of emergency before the November midterm elections, stating "I don't rule anything out or in. We'll see." He also said he "could use" the Insurrection Act to deploy military troops domestically, noting that "a lot of people think I should use it sometimes." Trump dismissed low approval ratings as "fake numbers" and blamed media for misrepresenting his earlier statements about the Iran war's duration.
• Trump expresses regret over Supreme Court appointments and discusses using Insurrection Act — In a 75-minute TIME magazine interview, Trump stated he regretted appointing Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett because they ruled against him on tariffs, mail ballots, and birthright citizenship. He expressed unapologetic expectations of judicial loyalty, stating "I do like loyalty, yeah." When asked whether he would rule out declaring a state of emergency before the midterms unless there was widespread violence, Trump said "I don't rule anything out or in" and indicated he could use the Insurrection Act, saying "A lot of people think I should use it sometimes."
• Trump defies congressional authority in TIME magazine interview — The President of the United States openly defied Congress during a TIME magazine interview, according to the article. The specific nature of the defiance is not detailed in the text provided, but the article characterizes the President's statements as demonstrating "no grasp on reality at all" and notes the defiance as part of a pattern of constitutional violations occurring under the current administration.

Supporting reports

• 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.

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

• White House routed ballroom project through exempt office to avoid building codes — The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration signed contracts putting the American taxpayer on the hook for more than $300 million for a White House ballroom project. James McCrery II, the first architect on the project, resigned when Trump insisted on a design that did not meet fire codes. Normally, White House construction would be managed by federal agencies required by law to comply with building safety codes, but White House officials routed the ballroom through the tiny Executive Residence office, which is exempt from rules because it is not a federal agency. McCrery warned that Trump's design lacked sufficient emergency exits and fire containment measures. When McCrery raised these concerns, Trump responded: "I am the code."

Supporting reports

• Federal lawsuit filed challenging White House press ban — On September 21, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a federal lawsuit challenging the White House's ban on their journalists. The organizations argue that the exclusions violate First Amendment rights and are retaliatory based on their reporting. The Trump administration contends that White House access is a privilege tied to national security, not a constitutional right. Federal Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, is scheduled to hear the news organizations' emergency request for temporary restoration of access on September 23 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
• CNN, MS Now, and Politico file federal lawsuit challenging White House journalist ban — Three news organizations filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration seeking a temporary restraining order to block enforcement of the journalist ban and restore press credentials. The lawsuit argued the ban violated First Amendment rights to free press and access to government information. The suit came after Secret Service confiscated press badges from reporters on Saturday following Trump's announcement of the ban via Truth Social.
• CNN, MSNBC, and Politico file lawsuit challenging media ban — On September 21, CNN, MSNBC, and Politico filed a federal lawsuit against Trump, communications director Steven Cheung, Secret Service director Sean Curran, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, alleging violations of the First and Fifth Amendments. The lawsuit characterizes the ban as retaliation for negative news coverage and states that Trump banned the outlets because he deemed their reporting "negative" and to chill future reporting about his administration. The plaintiffs seek restoration of their press credentials for White House coverage.
• Judge Timothy Kelly assigned to media ban lawsuit — U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, appointed to the bench by Trump in 2017, was assigned to hear the lawsuit filed by CNN, MSNBC, and Politico challenging the White House media ban. Judge Kelly ordered the government to respond to the lawsuit by the following day and scheduled a hearing for Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Trump responded by complaining that the outlets "have drawn a great Judge, for them, a man who ruled in favor of Jim Acosta" in 2018, and vowed to appeal any adverse ruling.
• CNN, MS Now, and Politico sue Trump administration over White House press badge revocation — Three major news organizations filed a federal lawsuit in US District Court for Washington DC on Monday, September 21, seeking to regain White House access after their journalists' credentials were revoked on Saturday. The revocation followed Trump's announcement via Truth Social that the outlets would lose access due to their coverage. The plaintiffs argue the ban violates the First Amendment and Fifth Amendment, claiming retaliation based on viewpoint and lack of due process. They seek a temporary restraining order to immediately restore access while litigation proceeds.
• Complaint filed: Cable News Network, Inc. v. Trump (D.D.C. 1:26-cv-03287) — CNN, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), and POLITICO, along with three of their White House correspondents, filed a complaint in D.D.C. challenging President Trump's Sept. 18, 2026 ban on the three news organizations from White House grounds. The ban was announced as retaliation for "FAKE NEWS" reporting and took effect Sept. 19, 2026, when Secret Service officers denied entry and confiscated press credentials. Plaintiffs allege violations of the Fifth Amendment Due Process Clause (deprivation of liberty and property interests without notice or hearing) and the First Amendment (unlawful retaliation against protected speech and viewpoint discrimination). They seek declaratory and injunctive relief, including immediate restoration of credentials and access.
• MS NOW, CNN, and Politico filed lawsuit against Trump's White House press ban — Three major news outlets filed a federal lawsuit challenging Trump's total ban on their access to the White House. The lawsuit argues the ban violates the First Amendment and constitutional principles protecting press credentials and access. The outlets contend that while presidents may disagree with coverage, the Constitution protects news organizations' liberty and property interests in press credentials and the access they afford for public benefit.

Supporting reports

• Trump announced ban of CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House — Trump announced that CNN, MSNBC, and Politico are banned from the White House "effective immediately," accusing them of reporting what he calls "fake news." Reuters reported that Trump said the ban could extend to additional news organizations. Trump told reporters "I don't want them here" and said he would take the ban "as far as you can." The administration has not explained how the restriction would work, and the Associated Press reported that journalists from the affected outlets remained on White House grounds Friday afternoon.
• Trump bans MS Now, CNN, and Politico reporters from White House grounds — President Trump ordered the removal of reporters from MS Now, CNN, and Politico from White House grounds, effective immediately, citing what he claimed was constant "fake news" reporting. On Saturday morning, journalists from these outlets were denied access and had their press passes confiscated by the Secret Service at security gates. Trump stated the decision was "cumulative" over two years and said he was considering banning additional outlets. The White House Correspondents' Association and press freedom advocates condemned the action as unconstitutional.
• Secret Service confiscates press badges and denies White House access — On September 19, reporters from CNN, MSNBC, and Politico attempting to enter the White House press complex were denied entry by security personnel, and Secret Service agents confiscated their press credentials. This enforcement action followed Trump's announcement the previous day banning the three outlets from White House facilities.
• Trump banned CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House — Trump issued a directive banning CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from the White House. The ban surprised many senior Trump staffers, who learned of it only through Trump's Truth Social post while Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was out of town. The press shop was initially blindsided and unsure how to respond. A source close to the White House confirmed the ban is "real and permanent as far as POTUS is concerned." Discussions were already underway about adding more news organizations, with Trump specifically citing the New York Times and Washington Post as possible additions.

Supporting reports

• Trump bans CNN, MSNBC, and Politico from White House — President Trump announced via Truth Social that he is immediately banning CNN, MS Now (MSNBC), and Politico from the White House, citing their coverage as "fake news." At an Oval Office event, Trump defended the ban, stating he does not believe courts should allow "fake news" to be written. He suggested additional media outlets could face similar bans. CNN, Politico, and the White House Correspondents' Association condemned the action as unconstitutional, while legal experts noted the White House press pool is a public forum under the First Amendment.
• Trump bans CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from White House — Trump announced an immediate ban of CNN, MSNOW (formerly MSNBC), and Politico from White House access, citing their reporting as "fake news." Trump alleged that Politico received an "$8 Million Dollar subscription" from the U.S. government under the Biden administration and characterized this as corruption. He stated that other "Fake News Media Outlets" would follow. Trump framed the ban as a response to outlets' coverage of the presidency and administration.
• Trump defends White House media ban citing First Amendment question — When asked how he justifies banning CNN, Politico, and MSNOW from the White House given that every president takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, including the First Amendment, Trump responded: "Because they're fake news." Trump did not address the constitutional question raised.

Supporting reports

• Family of Tierra Walker sues Ken Paxton for wrongful death related to denied abortion — Attorneys for the family of Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old San Antonio woman who died in December 2024 while 20 weeks pregnant with pre-eclampsia, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Bexar County District Court on Tuesday. The suit names Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, individual doctors, and state health officials, alleging deliberate indifference and medical mistreatment. The family claims Walker and her relatives requested an abortion as her condition worsened, but doctors refused to provide it. The lawsuit also challenges Texas's abortion ban as unconstitutional.

Supporting reports

• ACLU and researchers file class-action lawsuit challenging Trump administration's use of keyword list to block NIH grants — Researchers and civil-rights groups filed a class-action lawsuit in San Francisco federal court on September 16, 2026, challenging the Trump administration's use of a 235-keyword list (including terms like "gender" and "racist") to block and cancel National Institutes of Health grants. The suit argues the administration is violating the First Amendment by censoring scientific research on topics including health equity and climate change. The administration had canceled thousands of grants in 2025; more than 4,500 have since been restored. The lawsuit seeks to cover all researchers whose grants remain disrupted or who faced delays, denials, or forced renegotiations.

Supporting reports

• Senate Clarity Act released with grandfathered exemption for Trump's existing crypto holdings — Senator Cynthia Lummis released a revised version of the Clarity Act on September 15, 2026, claiming it imposed meaningful ethics restrictions on President Trump's cryptocurrency activities. The 635-page bill prohibits "covered individuals" (including the President) from issuing or sponsoring new digital assets. However, an "Application" provision on the final page exempts all digital assets issued or sponsored before the legislation's effective date—including Trump's meme coin, World Liberty Financial token, and USD1 stablecoin—from the prohibition. The effective date can be delayed up to 360 days after enactment, potentially allowing Trump to issue additional grandfathered assets into 2027.

Supporting reports

• Judge Michael Luttig warned Republicans are planning to steal midterm elections. — Judge Michael Luttig wrote an opinion piece in The New Republic warning that Republicans are planning to steal the midterm elections. Luttig stated that congressional Republicans "took a blood oath 6 years ago not just to put their party before their country, but to put Trump before their country." He warned that "only weeks before the midterm elections, House Republicans have already sworn their allegiance to Trump and doomed the US to another January 6 next January 3." Luttig asserted that House Republicans are "poised to claim that the midterm elections were stolen from them when they meet on January 3 to decide which members-elect will be seated in the 120th Congress." He stated that Trump has "exploited every conceivable unlawful means possible to rig the midterm elections in favor of the Republicans, and the federal courts have struck down as unconstitutional every one of these unlawful attempts." Luttig concluded: "Everyone knows that the greatest threat to the upcoming midterm elections is not the Democrats or the Chinese, noncitizen voting, or electronic voting machines, but the president of the United States and his servile Republican Congress."

Supporting reports

• Missouri Republican legislators threatened impeachment of state Supreme Court justices over redistricting ruling — Missouri Republican lawmakers sent a letter threatening impeachment of state Supreme Court justices if they held Secretary of State Hoskins in contempt for defying a court order on redistricting. The letter, sent before the U.S. Supreme Court intervened, insisted that Hoskins comply with the federal judge's order and questioned whether the state Supreme Court understood that federal law is "supreme." The impeachment threat was ultimately not carried out.

Supporting reports

• Utah Republicans threatened to impeach judge over gerrymandering enforcement — Utah Republicans threatened to impeach a state judge for enforcing a constitutional ban on gerrymandering. When the impeachment threat did not succeed in stopping the judge's rulings, Republicans subsequently packed the state Supreme Court to overturn the judge's decisions and allow gerrymandered districts.
• Utah Republicans packed state Supreme Court to overturn redistricting protections — After their impeachment threat against a judge enforcing a constitutional ban on gerrymandering failed, Utah Republicans packed the state Supreme Court. This court-packing effort was designed to overturn judicial protections against gerrymandered districts and allow partisan redistricting to proceed.

Supporting reports

• Department of Justice Removes Alien Terrorist in First Use of United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court — The Department of Justice announced this on 2026-09-11 through Office of the Attorney General. The recorded stage is a conviction after trial. The department's own account of it reads: "In the first-ever case before the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court (ATRC), Nazira Haji Zada, 47, an Afghan national previously residing in Fort Worth, Texas, was removed from the United States after conceding that she is an alien terrorist."
• First deportation through Alien Terrorist Removal Court using secret evidence — Trump's Justice Department announced the first-ever deportation of an individual through the Alien Terrorist Removal Court, a specialized tribunal that has existed since 1996 but had never been used. The court's procedures permit the use of secret evidence that deportation targets never see, a practice that legal scholars have flagged as raising constitutional concerns regarding due process and the right to confront evidence.

Supporting reports

• Trump asked supporters to pledge allegiance to him instead of the nation — At the conclusion of his RNC convention speech, Trump asked the crowd to raise their right hands and recite a pledge of allegiance to him personally rather than to the United States. The pledge stated: "I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the US that loves us so much he can't even breathe, that I will go out with my family, my friends, I'll do it any way - I don't care if I'm registered or not, I'm going to try to cheat like hell just like they do."
• Trump told supporters voting is a religious obligation — During his RNC convention speech, Trump told the crowd: "You know what happens if you don't vote? You go to hell." He framed voting as a religious duty with eternal consequences.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration proposes citizenship question on census and eliminates race/ethnicity data collection — The Trump administration issued a new proposal to add a citizenship question to the U.S. Census questionnaire and bar the Census Bureau from collecting race and ethnicity data despite the nation collecting such demographics since 1790. The citizenship question could exclude millions of people from the census count, affecting congressional apportionment, electoral district mapping, and federal funding allocation to states. The move directly contradicts the 14th Amendment's requirement to count all people living in the United States.