Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Kash Patel declined to confirm or deny plans to visit Moscow — Kash Patel, when asked whether he was planning to go to Moscow and for what purpose, declined to provide specifics, stating: "We're not going to announce where we're gonna go and when we're gonna go, except to tell you that this DOJ is going to go wherever we need to go to mete out justice for the American people." The response avoided direct confirmation or denial of Moscow travel plans.
• Vice President Vance defended Musk's Starlink decisions — Vice President JD Vance was asked whether he agreed with Republicans calling for an investigation into Musk's Starlink decisions. Vance responded that Musk "runs a private corporation" and that it is "completely understandable that he doesn't want to get in the middle of a war without the US govt directing him on what to do," and stated "I don't think this is about Elon."
• Sen. Kevin Cramer expressed concerns about Musk's influence over national security — Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) stated that he had concerns about Elon Musk's influence over national security matters following Ukraine's disruption of Starlink access. Cramer said that "one individual and one company has control over America's ability to protect the domain of space, which is a war-fighting domain," and expressed discomfort with "vendor lock-in" in space assets.
• SpaceX investor Ross Gerber criticized Musk's Starlink decisions on CNN — SpaceX investor Ross Gerber stated on CNN that he is "disgusted" with Elon Musk's decisions regarding Starlink, characterizing them as "strategically horrendous" and "horrible" from a humanitarian perspective. Gerber expressed concern that Musk could restrict Starlink access to the United States if he disagreed with a sitting president, and called for development of competitors to Starlink to ensure national security independence.

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• Congress members vow investigation into Starlink service cuts to Ukraine — Multiple Congress members, including Republicans, announced they will investigate and hold accountable whoever was responsible for cutting Starlink service to Ukraine. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) stated those limiting Starshield "will be fully investigated and will be held fully accountable" and promised "immediate harsh and punitive budget cuts" to responsible agencies.
• Bipartisan lawmakers called for investigation into Elon Musk's Starlink restrictions on Ukraine — The Wall Street Journal reported that bipartisan lawmakers are calling for an investigation into Elon Musk after SpaceX restricted Ukraine's access to the Starlink satellite network. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) told CNN that Congress must compel Musk to testify and could block federal funding for agencies that played a role in throttling the network. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated that national security decisions should be made in the national interest, not based on "the personal whim of an unstable executive."
• Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick stated Congress could block federal funding over Starlink throttling — Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) told CNN that Congress must investigate the Starlink network restrictions, call witnesses under oath, and get to the bottom of the matter because it is "a very, very serious matter." Fitzpatrick indicated that Congress could block funding for federal agencies or agency heads that played any role in throttling the network.
• Sen. Adam Schiff called for Musk to testify under oath — Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) stated that the Senate must put Elon Musk under oath regarding the Starlink restrictions. Schiff emphasized that national security decisions should be made in the national interest and not based on "the personal whim of an unstable executive."
• Sen. Cramer received briefing on Starshield and called for competition in space — Sen. Kevin Cramer received a briefing from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink on Starshield and told reporters that he wanted Congress and the Pentagon to "pour a lot of resources into making sure there's lots of competition both for satellite production and satellite launch." Cramer stated he was "uncomfortable with the potential vendor lock in space" and that recent events had demonstrated greater concern than cost alone.

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• Preliminary injunction ruling — Democracy for the Arab World Now, Inc. d/b/a DAWN v. Trump (S.D.N.Y.) 1:26-cv-05957 — Judge Jesse Furman granted in substantial part Plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction. The injunction bars all Defendants except President Trump from enforcing IEEPA's civil or criminal penalties against Plaintiffs for the conduct described in their complaint, to the extent that conduct allegedly violates EO 14203's prohibition on providing “services” to or for the benefit of sanctioned persons. Following his earlier ruling in Rona v. Trump , Judge Furman held that Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their First Amendment claim. He found that the prohibition is a content-based regulation of their speech-based activities, meaning it restricts speech based on its function or purpose. He also found that it fails strict scrutiny, which requires the government to show a restriction is narrowly tailored to serve a compelling interest. He did not reach Plaintiffs' statutory or APA claims. The court denied Plaintiffs' requests to enjoin the president, declare the order facially unconstitutional, and enter a universal injunction barring enforcement against anyone.
• Federal judge blocks Trump administration sanctions on human rights groups assisting ICC Gaza investigation — US District Judge Jesse M Furman issued a preliminary injunction on October 14, 2026, temporarily blocking the Trump administration from sanctioning two human rights organizations, Democracy for the Arab World Now (Dawn) and Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide (Taag), for assisting the International Criminal Court's investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. The groups had challenged a February 2025 executive order imposing sanctions on entities supporting ICC investigations deemed threatening to US or Israeli national security. Furman ruled the order likely violated the groups' First Amendment rights as a content-based speech regulation that cannot survive strict scrutiny.

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• US Senate rejects resolution demanding State Department accountability report on Israeli violence in West Bank — The US Senate voted 47–51 to reject a Democratic resolution led by Senator Chris Van Hollen that would have required the State Department to report to Congress within 30 days on violence in the occupied West Bank, including the deaths of nine American citizens killed by Israeli settlers or security forces since 2022, and on broader human rights conditions including Israel's detention of Palestinian children. The resolution invoked Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act. One Democrat (John Fetterman) voted with Republicans; one Republican (Rand Paul) voted with Democrats.

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• Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel concludes Foreign Service Grievance Board violates Article II — The Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion concluding that the Foreign Service Grievance Board's statutory authority to reverse disciplinary decisions by the Secretary of State violates Article II of the Constitution. The opinion, signed by Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, holds that final decision-making power over Foreign Service personnel must rest with the presidentially accountable Secretary of State, not an independent board. The DOJ advised that the FSGB may continue to hear grievances but the Secretary will retain final authority going forward.

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• Human rights groups file federal lawsuit challenging Trump ICC sanctions executive order — Four prominent US human rights organizations—American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Open Society Institute—filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday challenging Trump's February 2025 executive order imposing sanctions on ICC officials, judges, and affiliates investigating Israeli crimes in Palestine. The groups argue the sanctions regime violates First Amendment protections, criminalizes legitimate advocacy work, and undermines access to justice for victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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• Republican officials publicly criticize Iran deal terms — Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the reported terms a framework matching the Obama-era Iran deal, the very agreement Trump spent a decade attacking. Senator Ted Cruz issued a lengthy statement expressing deep concern that Iran would emerge with billions in assets, uranium enrichment capability, and control of the Strait. Senator Roger Wicker called the deal "ill-advised." Senator Lindsey Graham warned that a deal leaving Iran in regional dominance would empower Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias. Ben Rhodes, an Obama-era JCPOA negotiator, stated that Operation Epic Fury accomplished nothing except putting the IRGC in charge of Iran and the Strait.
• Senator Roger Wicker condemned Iran deal as surrender — Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, publicly condemned the reported Iran agreement as "a disaster" that would nullify the accomplishments of Operation Epic Fury. Wicker urged Trump to allow the armed forces to complete the destruction of Iran's conventional military capabilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that pursuing an agreement with Iran's government "risks a perception of weakness."

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• Federal judge blocks Trump administration sanctions against UN expert Francesca Albanese — US District Judge Richard Leon temporarily blocked sanctions imposed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio against Francesca Albanese, a UN special rapporteur on Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. Rubio had sanctioned Albanese in July 2025 following a Trump executive order targeting individuals involved with ICC investigations of Israel's Gaza actions. Judge Leon found the Trump administration likely violated Albanese's First Amendment free speech rights by imposing measures in retaliation for her criticism of Israel and her ICC recommendations. The sanctions had barred her from US entry and banking.

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• Federal judge orders reinstatement of 1,000+ Voice of America employees — US District Judge Royce Lamberth issued two separate rulings on March 18, 2026, ordering the reinstatement of more than 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees who were laid off following a Trump administration order to dismantle the agency. Lamberth ruled that attempts to shut down the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) are illegal and mandated workers return by March 23. The judge also instructed the agency to create a plan to restore VOA operations. This followed Lamberth's earlier ruling that former USAGM director Kari Lake illegally led the agency.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge voided actions taken by Kari Lake at Voice of America — U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled on Saturday that Kari Lake, a Trump-appointed official, lacked lawful authority to serve as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America. Lake had exercised approximately 95 percent of the CEO's duties despite not being employed by USAGM when the former CEO resigned in January 2025 and lacking Senate confirmation. The court voided her actions, including layoffs of over 1,000 journalists and staffers, funding cuts, and restructuring that reduced VOA broadcasting from 49 languages to four. The ruling reaffirms that administrations must follow legal procedures when installing control over public institutions.
• Appeals court voids Kari Lake's tenure as head of US Agency for Global Media for lack of Senate confirmation — Senior judge Royce C Lamberth of the US District Court for the District of Columbia voided the tenure of Kari Lake, a Republican former gubernatorial candidate, who unlawfully led the US Agency for Global Media for several months in 2025 without Senate confirmation. The court voided mass layoffs and other actions Lake took to dismantle the agency overseeing Voice of America and related international news broadcasters, finding her appointment violated constitutional requirements.
• Federal judge voids Kari Lake's unlawful tenure at USAGM, invalidating mass layoffs — US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake unlawfully served as head of the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), the parent agency of Voice of America, after Trump appointed her without Senate confirmation on 31 July 2025. During her tenure through 19 November 2025, Lake cut over 1,000 staff positions and terminated contracts. The judge voided all actions taken during her unlawful service, citing violations of the Appointments Clause and the Vacancies Act. The ruling relied on precedent from the Third Circuit's invalidation of Alina Habba's appointment to lead the US attorney's office in New Jersey.
• Federal judge ruled Kari Lake acted unlawfully in running Voice of America — U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Kari Lake, head of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, acted unlawfully in running the Voice of America and its parent agency. The judge declared all of Lake's actions over the past year null and void, including the layoffs of more than 1,000 journalists and staffers. Lake announced she would appeal the ruling.
• Federal judge voided Kari Lake's authority over Voice of America — A federal judge ruled that Kari Lake had been unlawfully running Voice of America without proper legal authority and voided her actions. Lake had previously laid off more than 1,000 journalists and reduced Voice of America's language broadcasts from 49 to four. The ruling invalidated these personnel and operational decisions made without lawful authorization to hold the position.

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• Democratic lawmakers demand Trump administration accounting on immigration enforcement impacts on childcare workforce — Forty-eight Democratic lawmakers, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Duckworth and Representative Mike Quigley, sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services demanding answers about how Trump's immigration policies are exacerbating childcare shortages and costs. The letter cites terminations of temporary protected status (TPS), elimination of lawful immigration pathways, and ICE raids at childcare facilities. About 20% of the US childcare workforce are immigrants—as high as 70% in some regions—and Trump's policies could reduce the workforce by an estimated 15%. The letter documents specific cases of childcare workers detained or losing work authorization, and notes Trump revoked protections for childcare facilities from ICE raids.
• Congress members demand accountability for Palestinian-American teen's detention in Israel — Fifteen members of Congress, led by Senator Peter Welch, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding accountability for the nine-month detention of Mohammed Ibrahim, a Palestinian-American teenager arrested in the West Bank in February 2025. Ibrahim was released in November 2025 after a guilty plea; he reported severe mistreatment including beatings, pepper-spraying, and inadequate food and medical care. The lawmakers posed three questions to Rubio about State Department engagement, investigation requests, and accountability for Israeli personnel.
• Congressional letter to DHS and ICE seeking release of detained double amputee — Representative Pramila Jayapal and 20 members of Congress sent a two-page letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons on February 17, 2026, requesting the release of Rodney Taylor from Stewart detention center in Georgia. Taylor, a 47-year-old double amputee barber, has been detained since January 2025 on the basis of a burglary conviction from his teenage years for which Georgia pardoned him in 2010. The letter cites deteriorating health conditions, inadequate prosthetic care, and inhumane detention conditions including moldy showers and forced meal retrieval despite mobility limitations.

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• Barry Pollack retained as counsel for Nicolás Maduro in US federal court — Nicolás Maduro, the captured Venezuelan president, appeared in federal court in New York on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. He was represented by Barry Pollack, a prominent US trial lawyer previously known for securing Julian Assange's release from UK prison in 2024. Pollack questioned the legality of Maduro's abduction by US forces in a raid on Caracas and argued Maduro is entitled to immunity as a sovereign head of state.

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• Nicolás Maduro entered not guilty plea in court — Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, entered a not guilty plea in court, stating "I'm innocent. I'm a decent man. I'm the President of Venezuela. I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured at my home in Caracas."
• Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in federal court — Nicolás Maduro appeared in federal court and pleaded not guilty to charges, telling the judge, "I am a decent man, the president of my country." The appearance followed his forcible seizure and removal from Venezuela by U.S. military forces.
• Maduro arraigned in Manhattan federal court on drug and narco-terrorism charges — Nicolás Maduro appeared before federal judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan on Monday for arraignment on four federal criminal counts including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Maduro, who was first indicted in 2020, pleaded not guilty and claimed he remained the legitimate president of Venezuela and was being held as a prisoner of war. His wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty to related charges.
• Nicolás Maduro arraigned in Manhattan federal court on narco-terrorism charges following US military capture in Caracas — Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan president, was captured in Caracas on January 3 and arraigned in Manhattan federal court on January 6 on narco-terrorism charges brought by the Trump Justice Department. Maduro entered a not guilty plea while making defiant statements about his legitimacy and characterizing his capture as a kidnapping. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared and pleaded not guilty. Judge Alvin Hellerstein scheduled a case conference for March 17. Neither defendant requested bail at this stage but reserved the right to do so later.
• Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US court after capture — Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, pleaded not guilty to charges of drugs, weapons, and "narco-terrorism" in a US federal court in Manhattan. His capture was part of a US special forces operation ordered by Donald Trump, which has been condemned by several countries as a "crime of aggression." The operation has raised concerns about breaches of international law and has led to an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Maduro's arraignment follows his indictment in 2020 for drug trafficking-related charges.
• Judge orders Trump-appointed US attorney to defend unlawful title use despite prior ruling of invalidity — Federal judge David Novak ordered Lindsey Halligan, a Trump-installed lawyer with no prosecutorial experience, to explain within seven days why she continues to represent herself as US attorney for the eastern district of Virginia after another judge (Cameron McGowan Currie) ruled her appointment unlawful in November. Halligan was appointed to prosecute political opponents James Comey and Letitia James; both cases were dismissed. Novak's order notes that Currie's ruling remains binding precedent and that Halligan's continued use of the title may constitute professional misconduct and false statements.

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• Congress planning legislation to block troop withdrawal from Romania — U.S. lawmakers are planning to unveil legislation in the coming days that would effectively block the Pentagon's planned troop withdrawal from Romania. The move signals a high-stakes legislative battle that cuts across party lines and pits key congressional leaders against the White House on a core foreign policy decision. The Pentagon confirmed plans to reduce troop presence in Romania. Critics, including top defense Republicans, have slammed the move as a gift to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and a massive strategic blunder that directly undermines NATO's deterrence posture. The leaders of both Armed Services Committees—Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL)—jointly blasted the Pentagon's decision as "uncoordinated and directly at odds with the president's strategy." Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) also criticized the decision, with Tillis stating that scaling back presence in Romania "defies sound strategy" and that Romania has been a "rock-solid ally for nearly 30 years."

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• NYC Bar Association issued statement on Comey indictment — The New York City Bar Association issued a statement on September 29 about the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, writing, "We are at a turning point in our history," and adding that "the Supreme Court has long recognized that prosecutions animated by impermissible motives are unconstitutional." The statement signals concern that the prosecution may be politically motivated.
• New York City Bar Association condemns administration's military actions — The New York City Bar Association issued a statement condemning the Trump administration's military actions against Venezuelan boats, labeling them as illegal summary executions prohibited by U.S. and international law. They called for Congress to intervene and remind the President of his lack of authority for such actions.
• New York City Bar Association warned Trump administration that attacks on Venezuelan vessels violate law and called them illegal summary execution — The New York City Bar Association issued a warning that whatever legal advice officials are using to justify attacks on Venezuelan boats will not protect them in court. The bar association called the strikes "illegal summary execution" that are "prohibited by both U.S. and international law," or "murders." It called for Trump to stop such attacks and for Congress to remind the President that he lacks authority to continue misusing military forces for unlawful attacks on foreign vessels and their civilian crews.

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• Supreme Court authorized freezing of $4 billion in foreign aid — The Supreme Court temporarily authorized the Trump administration to freeze approximately $4 billion in foreign aid set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, which includes funding for global health and HIV/AIDS programs. The decision allowed the administration to prevent the spending of congressionally appropriated funds.
• Trump administration filed emergency appeal to freeze foreign aid — The Trump administration filed an emergency appeal asking the Supreme Court to authorize the freezing of billions of dollars in foreign aid after a lower court ruled it must spend the funds before they expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30. The move seeks to override judicial authority over appropriated funds.
• Supreme Court temporarily halts lower court order requiring Trump administration to spend $4.9bn in foreign aid — Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay on Tuesday halting a Washington DC federal judge's order requiring the Trump administration to spend nearly $5bn in congressionally appropriated foreign aid. Trump had announced via "pocket rescission" that he would not spend the funds, characterizing them as "woke, weaponized and wasteful." The stay gives aid groups until Friday to file a response. This marks the first pocket rescission in 50 years and follows Trump's earlier moves to dismantle USAID and downsize US global development and emergency response support.
• Supreme Court partially stays District Court order in Department of State v. AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition — The Supreme Court, in an emergency application, partially stayed a September 3, 2025 District Court order (D.D.C., cases 1:25-cv-400 and 1:25-cv-402) for funds subject to the President's August 28, 2025 rescission proposal pending before Congress. The stay applies only to those funds and remains in effect pending further order of the Chief Justice or the full Court. Respondents were ordered to file a response by September 12, 2025, at 4 p.m. EDT.

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• Federal appeals court allowed USAID foreign aid cuts — A federal appeals court overturned a lower court's ruling, allowing the Trump administration to cut billions in federal funding for foreign aid at USAID that had already been allocated by Congress.
• Federal Appeals Court Allows Trump to Cut Foreign Aid Funding — A federal appeals court overturned a lower court's ruling, allowing the Trump administration to cut billions in federal funding for foreign aid at USAID that had been allocated by Congress.

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• House Republicans pass Trump's $9 billion federal funding rescissions package — The House of Representatives passed a rescissions bill on a party-line vote (216–213) that claws back $9 billion in federal spending, including $8 billion in foreign assistance and $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS). Two Republicans broke ranks. The Senate had approved the measure earlier; it now heads to the president's desk for signature. The vote was delayed by Democratic amendments related to Jeffrey Epstein documents.

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• Senate considers $9.4 billion spending rescission package — The Senate considered a White House request for Congress to approve $9.4 billion in spending cuts the Trump administration made unilaterally to congressionally appropriated funds. The package includes ending federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local stations. The House had already passed it. Congress must approve by Friday or the funds revert to original appropriations. Senate Republicans expressed frustration that the White House had not specified which programs would be cut.
• Senate Republicans and White House reverse PEPFAR funding cut — Senate Republicans and the White House reached an agreement to reverse a proposed $400 million cut to PEPFAR, the global HIV and AIDS relief program, as part of Trump's $9 billion recissions package. The reversal preserved funding for the international health initiative.
• Trump administration announces plan to defund public broadcasting — The Trump administration included in its rescission package a request to end federal support for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR, PBS, and local public broadcasting stations. The administration stated that NPR and PBS "fuel…partisanship and left-wing propaganda." The cuts are part of the broader $9.4 billion rescission request before Congress.
• Senate Republicans advance rescissions bill cutting $9bn in public broadcasting and foreign aid — Senate Republicans moved to pass a rescissions package slashing up to $9bn in previously appropriated funds, targeting $1.1bn for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8bn in foreign assistance. The GOP is racing to meet a Friday legal deadline. Vice President JD Vance broke a tie on a procedural vote after three Republican senators joined all Democrats in opposition. The Senate began a vote-a-rama on Wednesday afternoon. Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced a compromise to preserve $400m in PEPFAR funding, requiring a second House vote.
• Senate passes Trump rescissions package to claw back $9bn in spending — Congressional Republicans advanced legislation requested by President Trump to rescind $9 billion in previously appropriated federal funding, including $1.1 billion for public broadcasting (NPR/PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign aid. The Senate passed the bill 51–48 on July 17, 2025, with Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against it. The measure now returns to the House for final approval before the 45-day rescission window expires on July 18.
• US Senate passes Trump-requested rescissions package cutting $9bn in foreign aid and public broadcasting — The Republican-controlled Senate voted 51–48 to approve a rescissions bill that claws back $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (which funds NPR and PBS) and approximately $8 billion in foreign assistance. All Democrats and two Republicans (Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins) opposed the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune framed it as "fiscal sanity," while Democrats condemned it as an unconstitutional surrender of Congress's spending authority to the executive branch. The bill now proceeds to the House for final approval before a Friday deadline.

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• Senate Confirms Charles Kushner as US Ambassador to France — The Senate confirmed Charles Kushner, father of Jared Kushner, as the US Ambassador to France. Kushner was previously pardoned by Trump for tax evasion and other charges. This appointment raises questions about the influence of personal connections in diplomatic roles.
• US Senate confirms Charles Kushner as ambassador to France — The US Senate confirmed Charles Kushner as the ambassador to France with a 51-45 vote. Kushner, who was pardoned by former President Trump for tax evasion and other federal crimes, faced opposition from some senators, including Lisa Murkowski, a Republican who voted against his appointment. Despite his criminal past, Kushner's confirmation proceeded, marking him as the 10th foreign ambassador confirmed under Trump's administration. The appointment has drawn criticism due to Kushner's previous conviction and the perceived nepotism involved, as he is the father of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

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• Secretary of State Rubio fires Peter Marocco, USAID official — On Friday, April 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio fired Peter Marocco, the official who was dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) without consulting career officials. According to reporting by Dasha Burns and Nahal Toosi of Politico, Marocco is aligned with MAGA ideology and was destroying the agency unilaterally. MAGA supporters view his firing as evidence that Rubio is part of the establishment they seek to dismantle.

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• State Department announces USAID shutdown by July 1 — The State Department notified Congress that it is shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development entirely by July 1, 2025. Functions the administration approves will be transferred to the State Department. USAID, founded by President Kennedy and enjoying bipartisan support, administers programs for global health, disaster relief, economic development, education, environmental protection, and democracy promotion. The administration's action appears to test the constitutional principle that the executive branch cannot unilaterally kill an agency Congress created or withhold appropriations Congress made.

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• Supreme Court issues administrative stay on USAid payment — The U.S. Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, issued an administrative stay that temporarily overturns a lower court's decision requiring the Trump administration to release $1.5 billion in funds for work completed on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAid). This stay removes a deadline set by federal judge Amir Ali, who had ordered the administration to continue funding USAid contractors and non-profit organizations. The funds have been frozen since the start of Trump's second term due to an executive order halting U.S. spending abroad.
• Stay of District Court Orders in AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition Case — The Supreme Court, through Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., issued a stay on the orders of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the cases numbered 1:25-cv-00400 and 1:25-cv-00402. This stay is pending further order from the Chief Justice or the Court. The order also requires any response to the application to be filed by February 28, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST.
• Motion granted — AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition v. United States Department of State (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-00400 — The Government filed an application with the U.S. Supreme Court (while the decision before the D.C. Circuit was still pending) to vacate the district court's TRO and grant an immediate administrative stay. That evening, Chief Justice Roberts granted an administrative stay and ordered a response by the plaintiffs by Feb. 28 at 12:p.m. EST.
• Motion granted — Global Health Council v. Trump (D.D.C.) ​​1:25-cv-00402 — The Government filed an application with the U.S. Supreme Court (while the decision before the D.C. Circuit was still pending) to vacate the district court's TRO and grant an immediate administrative stay. That evening, Chief Justice Roberts granted an administrative stay and ordered a response by Plaintiffs by Feb. 28 at 12:p.m. EST.

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• Judge orders Trump administration to pay foreign aid — A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to pay billions of dollars in US foreign aid after failing to comply with a previous court order. This decision highlights ongoing legal battles over the administration's foreign aid policies.

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• Brian Schatz places hold on State Department nominees — Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii announced a "blanket hold" on all of Trump's State Department nominees until the administration restores funding to USAid, which Elon Musk moved to eliminate. Schatz's decision is part of a broader Democratic strategy to oppose Trump's nominees and policies, citing the president's "unacceptable and dangerous" actions. This move reflects the Democrats' commitment to using procedural tools to challenge the administration's agenda.