Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• CBS 60 Minutes correspondent departs after editorial independence compromised — Sharyn Alfonsi, a correspondent for CBS's 60 Minutes, departed the program this week after her contract was not renewed. In a statement, Alfonsi criticized CBS management for "abandoning" the show's mission of "fearless, independent reporting," stating the network is "choosing access journalism over accountability and protecting power rather than scrutinizing it." She alleged that "the wall between editorial independence and corporate interest at CBS is being methodically torn down."
• Kash Patel's girlfriend sues MSNBC for defamation — Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of Kash Patel, filed a defamation lawsuit against MSNBC. Her legal team used the phrase "This was hogwash and they knew it" in the filing.
• Scott Pelley confronts new 60 Minutes leadership hire at all-hands meeting — Scott Pelley publicly confronted new 60 Minutes hire Nick Bilton at an all-hands meeting, questioning his qualifications. Pelley also called out Bari Weiss by name, stating she was brought in to kill the show and is doing exactly that, per Puck's Dylan Byers.

Supporting reports

• Claimed Civil Rights Act harmed white people — In a New York Times interview, Trump claimed that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 led to white people being "very badly treated."
• Trump announces expansion of defamation lawsuit against New York Times over unfavorable poll — President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that he is expanding his existing defamation lawsuit against the New York Times to include claims related to a Times/Siena University poll showing his approval rating at 40%. Trump alleged the poll was "heavily skewed toward Democrats" and "fake results," and instructed his lawyers to demand the Times preserve records of how the poll was "computed." The Times responded by defending its polling methodology as rigorous and independent of political favorability.
• Trump threatened legal action against polling organizations over unfavorable poll — Following release of a New York Times/Siena poll showing Trump with 40% job approval and 56% disapproval across multiple policy areas, Trump posted three lengthy posts on Truth Social threatening to sue the Times and prosecute polling companies criminally. Trump claimed the polls were "fake" and "tremendously negative," and stated his lawyers had demanded the Times preserve records of how results were "computed."
• Trump delivers address at World Economic Forum in Davos with multiple false and exaggerated claims — Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, 2026, making numerous claims about foreign policy achievements, technological leadership, renewable energy, NATO support, and budget matters. Fact-checkers found the claims ranged from exaggerated to provably false, including assertions about settling eight wars, leading China in AI, China's wind capacity, NATO allies' commitment, and the US ownership of Greenland. The speech exemplified a pattern of dubious assertions presented as fact to an international audience.
• Trump threatened to criminalize polling and sued New York Times — After the New York Times/Siena poll was released showing his approval at 40%, Trump's social media account posted that "Fake and Fraudulent Polling should be, virtually, a criminal offense" and claimed polls during the 2020 election were knowingly wrong and designed to influence the outcome. Trump announced he would add the Times/Siena poll to an existing lawsuit against the New York Times, threatening legal action against the news organization for publishing polling data.
• Trump threatened to sue New York Times over approval rating poll — Trump spent the morning lashing out at the press and threatened to sue The New York Times over its latest Siena poll, which shows his approval rating deeply underwater. Trump labeled the poll fake, accused the paper of fraud, and demanded internal records. The poll showed Trump with a net approval of minus sixteen and underwater on nearly every major issue, from the economy to foreign relations to immigration.
• Trump continues to repost conspiracy theories about 2020 election — Trump is still reposting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, including content from QAnon-linked accounts. Many lawyers who pushed these lies lost their licenses, but the damage to the information environment remains.

Supporting reports

• Trump sued Wall Street Journal for ten billion dollars over Epstein letter publication — After the Wall Street Journal revealed the existence of a 2003 birthday letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in July 2025, Trump sued the Journal, its reporters, and its parent company for ten billion dollars. Trump claimed the letter was "nonexistent," despite the paper's documented possession and publication of the document. The lawsuit represents an attempt to suppress press coverage through financial intimidation and legal action.
• Trump sues Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over Epstein letter story — President Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal, its owner Rupert Murdoch, and the two reporters who authored the story about the alleged 2003 birthday message to Epstein. Trump claimed the letter is "fake" and "not the way I talk," seeking damages for what he characterized as false reporting. The lawsuit represents an attempt to use legal action to suppress or punish journalism about the alleged communication.
• Trump sues Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch over Epstein story — Trump filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and owner Rupert Murdoch (who also owns Fox News) in response to the WSJ's story connecting Trump to Jeffrey Epstein via a signed birthday card message. The lawsuit was assigned to Judge Darrin Gayles, appointed by Barack Obama. The White House subsequently banned the WSJ from covering Trump in the Oval Office, aboard Air Force One, and in private workspaces.
• Trump sues Wall Street Journal over Epstein-Maxwell letter story — After the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Trump contributed a letter with a doodle of a nude woman to a 2003 Festschrift compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell for Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday, Trump denied the story and announced on Friday that he was suing the Wall Street Journal's publisher for libel. The lawsuit represents an attempt to suppress or punish press reporting on Trump's documented connections to Epstein.
• Wall Street Journal publishes alleged 2003 birthday message from Trump to Epstein — The Wall Street Journal reported on July 18, 2025, that materials collected during the Department of Justice's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein included a 2003 birthday message allegedly from Trump to Epstein. The message, described as typewritten text framed by a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, contains a dialogue between Trump and Epstein discussing shared secrets and enigmas. Trump denied authenticity, calling it "fake" and sued the Journal, its owner Rupert Murdoch, and the two reporters for $10 billion, claiming the letter does not reflect how he speaks or writes.

Supporting reports

• Trump announces five major law firms agree to $600m pro bono work to avoid punitive executive orders — Donald Trump announced on Friday that five major law firms—Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft—agreed to provide $600m in combined pro bono legal work to Trump-backed causes and adopt hiring practices that do not consider race, in exchange for avoiding executive orders punishing them. The EEOC agreed to withdraw a March 17 diversity inquiry letter. This brings Trump's total secured pro bono commitments from law firms to $940m.

Supporting reports

• Trump issues executive orders targeting Perkins Coie and Covington and Burling law firms — Trump issued executive orders targeting the law firms Perkins Coie and Covington and Burling, similar in structure to the Paul Weiss order. Perkins Coie was targeted over its ties to a lawyer who worked with Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign; Covington and Burling was targeted for representing former special counsel Jack Smith in litigation against the administration.
• Trump issues executive orders penalizing law firms Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie — President Trump issued executive orders targeting three major law firms—Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, and Paul Weiss Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison—barring them from federal buildings, restricting agency interaction, and revoking security clearances from some lawyers. The orders were widely characterized as punitive retaliation against firms whose clients included former special counsel Jack Smith and Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign. District Judge Beryl Howell blocked enforcement against Perkins Coie on 12 March, citing First Amendment violations. Paul Weiss reversed the order on 19 March after agreeing to $40 million in pro bono services.
• Trump warned law firms to "behave themselves" — After the settlement with Paul Weiss, Trump warned that "law firms have to behave themselves." The warning signals that the administration will use executive power to target firms that do not comply with its preferences.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14246 suspending security clearances of Jenner & Block employees, restricting federal contracts, and limiting government access to the law firm. — President Trump issued Executive Order 14246 on March 25, 2025, targeting Jenner & Block LLP. The order directs the Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence to suspend active security clearances held by firm employees pending review. It requires federal agencies to cease provision of government goods, property, and services to the firm. Agencies must review all contracts with Jenner & Block, terminate contracts where the firm provides services, require contractors to disclose business relationships with the firm, and restrict official access and engagement between federal employees and firm staff, including attorney Andrew Weissmann.
• Trump signs executive orders targeting law firms challenging his administration — President Trump signed multiple executive orders targeting major law firms (Jenner & Block, Covington and Burling, Perkins Coie, Paul Weiss) that have represented his political opponents or employed prosecutors involved in investigations into Trump. The orders threaten to revoke security clearances, deny access to government buildings, and require government clients to disclose representation by these firms. Trump also directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate lawyers blocking administration priorities. Paul Weiss capitulated and accepted Trump's demands; Perkins Coie obtained a temporary restraining order blocking its order.
• Trump issued executive order targeting law firm Jenner & Block, suspending security clearances and restricting federal contracts. — President Trump issued an executive order on March 25, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Jenner & Block LLP employees, cease provision of government goods and services to the firm, and review all federal contracts involving the firm for termination. The order alleges the firm engaged in "partisan lawfare," pro bono work undermining administration priorities, and employment discrimination. It specifically names attorney Andrew Weissmann and restricts federal employee engagement with firm staff.
• White House signed executive order targeting law firm Jenner & Block, directing suspension of security clearances and termination of federal contracts. — The White House issued an executive order on March 25, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by Jenner & Block LLP employees, cease provision of government services and facilities to the firm, terminate federal contracts with the firm, and restrict official access and hiring of its employees. The order characterizes the firm as engaging in "partisan lawfare," pro bono activities deemed harmful to U.S. interests, and alleged racial discrimination. The order specifically names attorney Andrew Weissmann and directs agencies to submit compliance assessments within 30 days.
• Trump signed order targeting law firm with Mueller connection — Trump signed another executive order targeting a law firm that once employed Andrew Weissman, the former deputy to Robert Mueller, who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election. The order suspends security clearances of the firm's employees, terminates government contracts, and orders a review of the firm's compliance with civil rights laws against racial bias.
• Trump administration stripped security clearances from law firms and barred attorneys from federal buildings — The Trump administration issued executive orders stripping security clearances from Perkins Coie and Paul, Weiss law firms and barring their attorneys from entering federal buildings, including courthouses. The chair of Paul, Weiss stated the move "could easily have destroyed our firm." The orders targeted firms representing Trump's opponents in litigation.
• Trump signed executive order encouraging disciplinary action against attorneys filing litigation against the administration — President Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to refer attorneys for disciplinary action if they file "frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation" against the administration. Critics argue the order will have a chilling effect on litigation challenging government actions, and law firms have begun refusing to represent Trump's opponents out of fear of retaliation.
• Trump issues Executive Order 14250 suspending security clearances and restricting federal contracts with WilmerHale law firm — President Trump signed Executive Order 14250 directing the suspension of security clearances held by WilmerHale employees pending national-interest review, cessation of federal goods and services to the firm, termination of government contracts with WilmerHale, restrictions on federal building access for firm employees, and guidance against hiring WilmerHale staff. The order cites the firm's pro bono work, representation of immigration and voting-rights cases, and employment of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller as grounds for the action.
• Trump issued executive order targeting WilmerHale law firm with security clearance suspensions and federal contracting restrictions. — President Trump issued an executive order on March 27, 2025, directing federal agencies to suspend security clearances held by WilmerHale employees, cease provision of government goods and services to the firm, require federal contractors to disclose business relationships with WilmerHale, review and terminate relevant contracts, restrict WilmerHale employee access to federal buildings, and limit hiring of WilmerHale staff. The order cites the firm's pro bono work, representation of immigration and election-related cases, and employment of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller as grounds for the action.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14250 targeting WilmerHale law firm with security clearance suspensions, contract terminations, and personnel restrictions. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14250 on March 27, 2025, directing the suspension of security clearances held by WilmerHale employees pending review, cessation of government provision of materials and services to the firm, termination of federal contracts with WilmerHale, restrictions on federal employee access to WilmerHale staff, and limitations on hiring WilmerHale employees into government. The order characterizes the firm's pro bono work and representation of clients as threats to national security and American interests, and specifically names former Special Counsel Robert Mueller and colleagues as examples of "weaponization of government."
• Trump signed executive order suspending security clearances for WilmerHale employees and terminating federal contracts with the firm — President Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2025, suspending security clearances held by WilmerHale employees pending review, halting federal material and services to the firm, restricting employee access to government buildings, terminating WilmerHale contracts, and barring federal agencies from hiring the firm's employees without authorization. The fact sheet characterizes WilmerHale as engaging in partisan activities, racial discrimination, and obstruction of immigration enforcement.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14253 directing removal of exhibits and narratives from federal museums and historical sites deemed ideologically divisive, with authority delegated to the Vice President over the Smithsonian Institution. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14253 on March 27, 2025, directing federal agencies to remove exhibits, programs, and historical narratives from museums and monuments that the order characterizes as "divisive" or promoting "ideology" rather than "objective facts." The order specifically targets the Smithsonian Institution, directing the Vice President to work through his role on the Smithsonian Board of Regents to remove what the order calls "improper ideology." It instructs the Secretary of the Interior to audit and reinstate pre-2020 monuments and ensure all federal historical sites focus on "greatness" and "achievements" rather than narratives the order deems disparaging. Future appropriations are to be conditioned on prohibiting exhibits that "divide Americans based on race" or are "inconsistent with Federal law and policy."
• Trump issues executive order directing federal agencies to remove "ideological" content from Smithsonian Institution and federal historical sites — President Trump signed an executive order on March 27, 2025, directing the Vice President, OMB Director, and Secretary of the Interior to remove what the order characterizes as "divisive, race-centered ideology" from the Smithsonian Institution, Independence National Historical Park, and other federal historical sites. The order mandates restoration of pre-2020 monuments and memorials, prohibits future federal funding for exhibits deemed to "degrade shared American values" or "divide Americans based on race," and requires the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum to exclude recognition of transgender athletes. The order frames this as restoring "truth" and "sanity" to American history.
• Trump administration issues executive orders targeting law firms; two firms sue to block — The Trump administration issued executive orders halting business with five law firms (Jenner & Block, WilmerHale, Paul Weiss, Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie) and revoking security clearances of their attorneys, citing retaliation for the firms' representation of political opponents or employment of Trump critics. On Friday, Jenner & Block and WilmerHale filed federal lawsuits in Washington DC seeking to block the orders as unconstitutional. Perkins Coie had already successfully convinced a judge to block its order. Paul Weiss and Skadden reached settlements with the administration to avoid or withdraw orders.