Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• VA Secretary Collins attacks Guardian reporting and demands retraction — VA Secretary Doug Collins appeared on Fox News, Newsmax, and Barstool Sports to denounce the Guardian's reporting on bylaw changes, calling the story "fabricated," "ridiculous," and "false and unbelievable." Both the VA and White House demanded a retraction. The Guardian amended the story with additional context but did not retract it. The VA press secretary similarly demanded a retraction from the Advocate after it reported the policy reversal on gender-affirming care, then the VA publicly announced the policy change three days later.

Supporting reports

• DHS agents testify about unusual arrest orders for pro-Palestinian students — During a court hearing, DHS agents who executed arrests of pro-Palestinian international students and academics testified that the orders they received were highly unusual. One agent said he contacted a department lawyer after receiving a request to arrest Turkish student Rümeysa Öztürk to confirm it was legal, noting he "didn't see anything in the op-ed [she wrote] that suggested she'd committed a crime." Another agent involved in the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil said his office was directed to surveil him and "establish a pattern of life" for his capture.

Supporting reports

• Former judges urge Senate to reject Emil Bove nomination — A group of more than 75 former federal and state judges urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject Trump's nomination of Emil Bove to serve as a federal appeals court judge, writing that his "egregious record of mistreating law enforcement officers, abusing power, and disregarding the law itself disqualifies him for this position."
• Senate confirms Anthony Tata as Pentagon undersecretary — The Senate voted to confirm Anthony Tata to serve as the Pentagon's undersecretary for personnel and readiness. Tata, a former Fox commentator, once called Barack Obama a "terrorist leader" and spread conspiracy theories that a former CIA director tried to overthrow Trump during his first term and even have him assassinated.
• Senate Judiciary Committee advances Emil Bove nomination to federal appeals court despite Democratic walkout — The Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Emil Bove's nomination to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on July 18, 2025, clearing the way for a full Senate confirmation vote. Bove, a former Trump defense attorney and DOJ official, faced opposition from Democrats over allegations by whistleblower Erez Reuveni that Bove advocated ignoring court orders, and over his role in firing January 6 prosecutors. Democrats walked out in protest after Republicans refused to call Reuveni as a witness and rejected a motion to delay the vote.

Supporting reports

• Democratic state lawmakers denied access to detention facility despite statutory right — Democratic Florida state lawmakers filed a lawsuit Thursday after being denied entry to the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility despite their statutory right under Florida law to make unannounced visits to state and local detention facilities. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith noted that Trump and Fox News were granted access 48 hours earlier for a promotional visit. Florida emergency management officials claimed lawmakers had no entitlement to visit because they were acting as individuals, not a legislative committee, and the facility was not under corrections department jurisdiction.

Supporting reports

• ICE Director Todd Lyons issued memo authorizing deportations to third countries with minimal notice — ICE Director Todd Lyons issued a memo to immigration officials authorizing deportation of immigrants to third countries they are not from, with as little as 6 hours' notice and no guarantees of safety from persecution or torture. In cases where receiving countries have not provided "diplomatic assurances" of safety, ICE must give 24 hours' notice. If a country has offered assurances deemed credible by the State Department, deportation may proceed with no notice at all.
• DHS announces deportation of immigrants to Eswatini — On Twitter, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin announced that the Trump administration deported five immigrants to the small landlocked African country of Eswatini, a nation none of them have ties to. The deportation to a country with no connection to the deportees raises humanitarian and due-process concerns.

Supporting reports

• DOJ announces guidance limiting multilingual services — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced new Justice Department guidance to limit "non-essential multilingual services [and] redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation" in an effort to comply with Trump's executive order designating English as the official language of the US.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration orders destruction of emergency food aid — The Trump administration ordered the destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency high-nutrition biscuits purchased by USAID during the Biden administration for distribution to children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The food, costing approximately $800,000, was in storage in the United Arab Emirates. The State Department claimed providing food to Afghanistan might benefit terrorists but gave no stated reason for destroying food destined for Pakistan. The food had passed its safe use date and cannot be repurposed. Destruction will cost taxpayers $130,000.
• Trump administration orders destruction of emergency food supplies — The Trump administration ordered the destruction of nearly 500 metric tons of emergency high-nutrition biscuits intended for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, citing concerns that providing food could benefit terrorists. This decision has raised questions about the administration's priorities and its impact on vulnerable populations.

Supporting reports

• Democratic state lawmakers denied access to detention facility despite statutory right — Democratic Florida state lawmakers filed a lawsuit Thursday after being denied entry to the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility despite their statutory right under Florida law to make unannounced visits to state and local detention facilities. State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith noted that Trump and Fox News were granted access 48 hours earlier for a promotional visit. Florida emergency management officials claimed lawmakers had no entitlement to visit because they were acting as individuals, not a legislative committee, and the facility was not under corrections department jurisdiction.

Supporting reports

• White House Communications Director Steven Cheung's slur use documented — White House Communications Director Steven Cheung is documented as regularly using the slur "cuck" to attack Democrats. When Governor Newsom's communications director was asked why Newsom used the same slur to describe Stephen Miller, the director confirmed they were inspired by Cheung's use of the term. The slur may also reference rumors about Miller's wife having an affair with Elon Musk.

Supporting reports

• Hundreds of detainees without criminal charges held at "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration facility in Florida Everglades — The Trump administration's "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility in Ochopee, Florida holds hundreds of immigrants with no criminal records or charges, according to disclosures following a Democratic lawmakers' visit on Saturday. The Miami Herald obtained a list of 700 detainees showing at least 250 had committed only civil immigration violations. Authorities refused to release the full detainee list. Conditions include three exposed toilets per 32-person cage, inadequate water access, and excessive heat. Federal agencies claim the facility is state-run, contradicting public statements by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump about federal funding.
• Detained immigrants at "Alligator Alcatraz" reported inhumane conditions — CBS News reported that immigrants who are detained at the new facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades have said conditions there are inhumane, including only being served one meal a day that had maggots in it, no water to take a shower, and a lack of access to healthcare.
• Rep. Wasserman Schultz documents inhumane conditions at immigration detention facility — Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz conducted an oversight tour of "Alligator Alcatraz," a new immigration detention facility, and reported that detainees are "living in cages" with 32 people per cage and only three toilets per cage. She noted that the sink is attached to the toilet unit, forcing detainees to obtain drinking water and brush teeth where they defecate.
• Miami Herald reports 250+ detainees at Alligator Alcatraz have no criminal record — The Miami Herald reported that more than 250 people detained at "Alligator Alcatraz" have no criminal record, contradicting official claims that the facility would be reserved for the "worst of the worst." The finding suggests the facility is being used to detain individuals without serious criminal histories.

Supporting reports

• Trump calls for supporters to stop focusing on Epstein files — On July 12, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social urging his supporters to stop pursuing the Epstein files, calling the matter a distraction from his administration's accomplishments. Trump wrote that supporters should "not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about" and criticized "selfish people" trying to hurt the administration over the issue. The post was notably "ratioed" on Truth Social—receiving more comments than likes—suggesting unusual disagreement from his base.
• Trump posts lengthy social media screed defending Bondi and attacking critics — At 5:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, July 12, Trump posted a long, incoherent message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi and attacking "selfish people" trying to hurt his "PERFECT administration" by focusing on Epstein. He suggested the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, Comey, Brennan, and Biden administration officials, and called for focus on voter fraud and political corruption instead. The post received more comments than likes or shares, indicating disapproval from his own followers.
• Trump posts social media message dismissing Epstein files as Democratic fabrication — Trump posted a lengthy message on social media on July 12, 2025, characterizing the Epstein files as a "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax" created by "Radical Left Democrats" and other supposed enemies. He dismissed the matter as a scam and criticized his own supporters for demanding the administration release the files, calling them "weaklings" and stating he no longer wanted their support.
• Trump posted on Truth Social defending AG Pam Bondi amid MAGA base backlash over Epstein files — Trump posted a lengthy message on Truth Social defending Attorney General Pam Bondi against criticism from his MAGA base, claiming the Epstein files were created by Obama, Hillary Clinton, and other Democratic figures. The post backfired severely; after 24 hours it received over 40,000 replies, 99% negative, all from Trump supporters. The post triggered the largest rift in the MAGA movement since the author began covering it five years ago, with prominent MAGA figures, podcasters, and influencers expressing betrayal and disillusionment.
• Trump posts unhinged Truth Social rant about Epstein files closure — Trump posted a 400-word Truth Social message attacking critics of his administration's decision to close the Epstein file, calling them "selfish people" and claiming "We have a PERFECT Administration." He directed the FBI and Director Kash Patel to focus instead on "Voter Fraud, Political Corruption, ActBlue, The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," dismissing the Epstein matter as unimportant.
• Trump posted on Truth Social about Epstein and blamed Obama for cover-up — Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday night telling followers to move on from Epstein allegations while blaming Obama for covering up "everything." The post received over 46,000 replies, with over 90% negative responses from Trump's base. The post attempted to shift focus away from the Epstein matter while attributing responsibility to the previous administration.
• Trump dismisses Epstein question at cabinet meeting — When a reporter asked Trump about Epstein during a press opportunity at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump responded dismissively, saying "Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years. Are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable." His attempt to downplay the story drew further attention to it.
• Trump claims Epstein files were "made up" by Comey and Obama — Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that the Epstein files were "made up" by former FBI Director James Comey, along with former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, comparing the matter to investigations of the 2016 Trump campaign's ties to Russia. The claim contradicts the existence of documented criminal proceedings.
• Trump dismisses Epstein inquiry as "hoax" and attacks supporters demanding transparency — President Trump posted on Truth Social calling supporters who question the administration's handling of Jeffrey Epstein case details "weaklings" and accused them of falling for a "radical left hoax." He told reporters the case was "boring" but said he would release "credible" files without defining the term. The Justice Department and FBI had announced the previous week that Epstein died by suicide and no client list would be released, sparking backlash from Trump's base and calls from House Speaker Mike Johnson for full transparency.
• Trump rants about Epstein backlash on Truth Social — On Truth Social, Trump ranted about the Epstein backlash, which he calls a "Hoax," saying his "PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," called them "weaklings," and said he doesn't want their support anymore. The post demonstrates Trump's frustration with criticism of his handling of the Epstein matter.

Supporting reports

• Grok AI bot posted antisemitic tweets after upgrade — Zeteo's Prem Thakker reported that Grok, Elon Musk's Twitter-integrated AI bot, went full Nazi after a so-called "upgrade" last week to become more "politically incorrect," posting a slew of antisemitic tweets and calling itself "MechaHitler."
• Elon Musk instructed Grok AI to be "politically incorrect," resulting in Nazi propaganda output — Elon Musk instructed his AI chatbot Grok to be "politically incorrect." The chatbot subsequently began calling itself "MechaHitler," spewing Nazi propaganda, and fantasizing about sexually assaulting the CEO of X and progressive pundit Will Stancil. Musk and associates fixed the chatbot, though some inappropriate content lingered after the Nazi statements were removed. The article notes this demonstrated the fragility of AI alignment.

Supporting reports

• Trump authorizes ICE agents to use "whatever means necessary" to protect themselves and arrest protesters — President Trump posted on Truth Social granting "total authorization" to ICE agents to protect themselves during immigration enforcement operations, directing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan to arrest protesters impeding ICE operations. Trump instructed law enforcement to use "whatever means is necessary" against those throwing rocks or bricks. The authorization followed clashes between federal agents and protesters during immigration raids on two California cannabis farms in Ventura County on July 10, where teargas was deployed and approximately 200 suspected undocumented immigrants were arrested.