Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Kansas voters rejected constitutional amendment to directly elect state Supreme Court justices — Approximately 61% of Kansas voters rejected a constitutional amendment on August 5, 2026, that would have abolished the state's Supreme Court Nominating Commission and replaced the current selection system with direct elections for six-year terms. Kansas Republicans, who hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers, placed the amendment on the August primary ballot when turnout is typically lower and the electorate leans more Republican. This was the second Republican-backed attempt to weaken judicial protections; voters also rejected a similar amendment in August 2022.
• Kansas Voters Reject GOP Push for Elected Judges — In Kansas, voters rejected a Republican initiative to change the judicial selection process from appointments to elections. This decision maintains the current system and reflects public sentiment against politicizing the judiciary.

Supporting reports

• Trump legal team seeks to block court order requiring financial disclosure to BBC — Donald Trump's legal team filed an emergency motion on Wednesday to temporarily halt a Miami court order requiring the president to disclose detailed financial records to the BBC by August 6, 2026. The disclosure was ordered as part of Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster over a 2024 documentary on the January 6 Capitol attack. Trump's attorneys argued the BBC's document demands were "shockingly broad" and politically motivated, and requested the lawsuit be narrowed to focus only on "reputation harm" rather than financial impact.
• Trump pursues $10 billion defamation suit against Wall Street Journal — On Wednesday, Trump's legal team moved to advance a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal to trial. The suit stems from the Journal's reporting on a letter Trump allegedly included in a birthday book for Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which the president characterized as "bawdy." The action is part of a broader pattern of Trump litigation against media outlets publishing critical coverage.
• Emergency Motion Filed in Trump's Suit Against BBC — Trump's family trust has filed an emergency motion to block a court order requiring the disclosure of financial records in his $10 billion lawsuit against the BBC. The motion comes after months of delays in the case, with a Trump-appointed judge pausing the order for financial disclosure.
• Federal Judge Freezes Discovery in Trump's Defamation Suit — A federal judge has frozen discovery in former President Trump's defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. This decision prevents Trump from deposing Rupert Murdoch while the court considers dismissing the case. The lawsuit stems from the Journal's reporting on a letter allegedly linked to Trump in Jeffrey Epstein's birthday album.
• Federal judge temporarily halts financial records disclosure order in Trump v. BBC libel case — US District Judge Roy Altman issued a temporary stay of a discovery order requiring Donald Trump to produce detailed financial records to the BBC in an ongoing libel lawsuit. Trump's legal team sought the suspension, arguing the BBC's demand for information about his business empire was "shockingly broad" and politically motivated. The judge indicated that if Trump successfully narrows his claims to reputational harm alone, the BBC's need for financial records might diminish. The BBC countered that Trump's business value remains relevant and that his $10 billion damages claim would be difficult to justify without financial evidence.

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

• White House renews effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook — ABC News reported that the Trump administration is renewing its effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino sent Cook a letter on Wednesday giving her three weeks to respond to previous allegations of mortgage fraud that she has steadfastly denied. The latest push follows a Supreme Court ruling in June allowing her to continue in her position, which did not prevent Trump from attempting removal again.
• Trump informs Lisa Cook that he is “considering” her removal — Former President Donald Trump has informed Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, that he is considering her removal from her position. This announcement has raised concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve and the potential implications for monetary policy and economic stability. The Federal Reserve is a critical institution in managing the U.S. economy, and any changes in its leadership can have significant impacts on economic governance.

Supporting reports

• Judge Reviews Epstein Files Redactions — U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan is reviewing documents related to the Epstein Files Transparency Act to determine if the Department of Justice's redactions were appropriate. This review follows allegations that Todd Blanche violated the law by not addressing claims made by journalist Katie Phang regarding access to these documents.