Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Energy Department slashes climate funding and freezes construction projects during shutdown — The U.S. Energy Department is cutting nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding for projects across 16 states and freezing $18 billion allocated for two New York City construction projects. Trump stated he would meet with Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, to determine which agencies aligned with his political priorities should face cuts, describing the shutdown as an "unprecedented opportunity" to eliminate what he called "Democrat Agencies."
• Energy Department terminated 321 awards for 223 projects — Hours after Russ Vought pledged to revoke climate-related funding, the Energy Department announced it had terminated 321 awards for more than 223 projects, claiming the investments did not "advance the nation's energy needs" and were not "economically viable." The agency provided scant details about the cuts.
• Vought announced cancellation of $8 billion in climate funding — OMB Director Russ Vought posted that nearly $8 billion in "Green New Scam" funding was being cancelled to halt the "Left's climate agenda." He listed projects in 16 states, all of which are blue states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

Supporting reports

• Energy Department slashes climate funding and freezes construction projects during shutdown — The U.S. Energy Department is cutting nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding for projects across 16 states and freezing $18 billion allocated for two New York City construction projects. Trump stated he would meet with Russell Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, to determine which agencies aligned with his political priorities should face cuts, describing the shutdown as an "unprecedented opportunity" to eliminate what he called "Democrat Agencies."
• OMB Director Vought impounded $8 billion in climate funding targeting Democratic states — Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, announced on October 2 that he was canceling $8 billion in congressionally approved funding for programs he claimed "fuel the Left's climate agenda." The targeted states were California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington—all states with Democratic senators. Vought stated the impoundments were illegal and used them selectively against Democratic-led states during the government shutdown.
• OMB Director Vought vowed to cut $26 billion from New York City projects — Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought vowed to cut $26 billion from projects in New York City that Congress had previously approved. Legal experts note that such impoundments lack lawful basis, as a government shutdown does not grant the OMB director additional authority to unilaterally rescind congressionally appropriated funds. Vought also vowed to slash the federal government broadly without legal justification.
• Vought announced $18 billion hold on New York City infrastructure projects — Russell Vought announced on October 2 that approximately $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects had been placed on hold. He stated the action was to ensure funding was not flowing based on "unconstitutional DEI principles" and specifically cited the Hudson River Tunnel Project (Gateway) and the Second Avenue Subway project. The announcement came during the government shutdown and targeted infrastructure in a state with Democratic senators.
• Maine Family Planning announces primary care closure due to Medicaid defunding — Maine Family Planning announced on October 2, 2025, that it will cease offering primary care at its clinics by October 31, 2025, due to loss of Medicaid reimbursements under Trump's tax and spending bill. The organization will continue offering STI screenings and contraception to all patients regardless of insurance status "for as long as we are able." Approximately 70% of Maine Family Planning patients receive all healthcare from the organization, making the closure a significant access loss.
• White House pauses infrastructure and clean energy funding to Democratic states — OMB Director Russ Vought announced on social media that approximately $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been placed on hold to prevent funding flowing to "unconstitutional DEI principles." Vought also announced cancellation of nearly $8 billion in clean energy funding, characterizing it as fueling "the Left's climate agenda." The actions target Democratic-leaning states during the government shutdown impasse.
• Energy Department terminated 321 awards for 223 projects — Hours after Russ Vought pledged to revoke climate-related funding, the Energy Department announced it had terminated 321 awards for more than 223 projects, claiming the investments did not "advance the nation's energy needs" and were not "economically viable." The agency provided scant details about the cuts.
• Vought announced cancellation of $8 billion in climate funding — OMB Director Russ Vought posted that nearly $8 billion in "Green New Scam" funding was being cancelled to halt the "Left's climate agenda." He listed projects in 16 states, all of which are blue states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
• Vought announced freeze on $18 billion in NYC infrastructure projects — OMB Director Russ Vought announced that roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects, specifically the Hudson Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway, had been put on hold. Vought claimed the freeze was to ensure funding was not flowing based on "unconstitutional DEI principles."
• Russ Vought froze federal infrastructure funding in blue states — Russ Vought, acting in his federal role, placed a hold on $2.1 billion in Chicago infrastructure projects, specifically the Red Line Extension and the Red and Purple Modernization Project, citing concerns about race-based contracting. The action represents a continuation of Vought's pattern of freezing federal funding on infrastructure projects in Democratic-led states.
• Trump administration freezes $2.1bn in Chicago transit funding, citing diversity concerns — OMB Director Russ Vought announced a freeze of $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects, including Red Line extensions and modernizations of the city's mass transit system. Vought justified the hold as ensuring "funding is not flowing via race-based contracting," citing a new Transportation Department rule effective Wednesday. The move targets a Democratic-led city during a federal government shutdown and follows a similar $18 billion freeze on New York transit projects announced the previous day.
• Trump administration withholds $2.1 billion in Chicago transit funding citing race-based contracting concerns — Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought announced that $2.1 billion in federal funding for two transit infrastructure projects in Chicago had been placed on hold, citing concerns about "race-based contracting." The action occurred during the ongoing federal shutdown and was characterized as part of the Trump administration's strategy to retaliate against Democratic-led areas by canceling federal dollars for projects in those jurisdictions.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration orders Michigan coal plants to remain open — The Trump administration has directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) to keep two Michigan coal plants, JH Campbell and Monroe, operational despite plans for their closure. The JH Campbell plant was ordered to remain open beyond its scheduled closure date of May 31, while the Monroe plant's closure, set for 2028, is expected to be delayed. This decision, made under a national energy emergency executive order, has been criticized for lacking support in Michigan and potentially costing ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The move is seen as ideologically driven and contrary to Michigan's climate law, which mandates 100% clean energy by 2040.

Supporting reports

• White House Threatens to Pull Federal Funding from California High-Speed Rail Project — The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw billions of dollars in federal funding from California's high-speed rail project, citing a lack of a "viable path" for its completion. Sean Duffy, the US transportation secretary, released a compliance review report indicating that the project is in default of its federal grant terms due to mismanagement and escalating costs. The Federal Railroad Administration's acting administrator, Drew Feeley, stated that the state has no viable plan to deliver even a partial segment of the project on time. California has 30 days to provide documentation to demonstrate compliance.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration to Revoke Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status — On May 2, 2025, Trump announced on Truth Social that his administration will revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, claiming "It's what they deserve!" This move targets the university's financial standing and independence.

Supporting reports

• Trump Administration Agrees to Halt School Funding Freeze in Maine — The Trump administration has agreed to halt its efforts to freeze funds for a child nutrition program in Maine, following a settlement with the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had previously suspended these funds after Maine refused to comply with demands to bar transgender girls from participating in girls' sports. Maine had sued the USDA to maintain its funding, and the lawsuit was dropped in exchange for the restoration of funds. The settlement ensures that the USDA will not interfere with Maine's access to funds without following legal procedures.
• Dismissal entered — Maine v. US Department of Agriculture (D. Me.) 1:25-cv-00131 — Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed this action with prejudice.
• Trump Administration Settles with Maine Over Child Nutrition Program — The Trump administration reached a settlement with Maine, restoring federal funds for a state child nutrition program previously frozen due to Maine's trans athlete policies. Maine agreed to drop its lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture.

Supporting reports

• Trump signed executive order stopping enforcement of state climate laws — On April 8, 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to "stop the enforcement" of state climate laws, which his administration suggested are unconstitutional or unenforceable. The order states "These State laws and policies are fundamentally irreconcilable with my Administration's objective to unleash American energy. They should not stand." The action represents Trump's attempt to preempt state climate initiatives.
• Trump administration freezes $790 million in federal funding to Northwestern University — The Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding to Northwestern University as part of broader crackdowns on students and faculty members across US colleges who have expressed opposition to Israel's military operations in Gaza. The freeze targeted the university in response to activism and legal representation related to pro-Palestinian causes.
• White House freezes federal funding for Cornell and Northwestern universities — The Trump administration froze over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and $790 million for Northwestern University, citing investigations into alleged "failure to protect Jewish students" following pro-Palestinian campus protests. The freeze includes grants and contracts from federal departments of health, education, agriculture, and defense. Cornell received over 75 stop-work orders from the Department of Defense affecting research in defense, cybersecurity, health, and cancer. The action follows warning letters sent to 60 universities in early March and comes after Cornell's president published a defiant op-ed defending academic freedom and free discourse.
• Princeton University reports suspension of federal research grants — Princeton University announced that dozens of its federal research grants were suspended over allegations that the university promoted antisemitism. This action follows similar defunding threats against Columbia and Harvard, representing a coordinated campaign against major research institutions.
• Trump administration announces cancellation of $400 million in grants and loans to Columbia University — The Trump administration announced the cancellation of $400 million in grants and loans to Columbia University, alleging the school failed to protect students from antisemitic harassment. In response, Columbia officials capitulated to a series of changes demanded by federal officials, sparking outrage from advocates and prompting at least one prominent academic to leave the institution.
• Trump administration announces plan to review $9 billion in Harvard University contracts and grants — The Trump administration announced a plan to review approximately $9 billion in contracts and multiyear grants to Harvard University over accusations that the university failed to protect Jewish students and promoted "divisive ideologies over free inquiry." The action follows the defunding of Columbia University and represents escalating pressure on major research institutions.
• Trump administration considers consent decree to place Columbia University under federal control — The Trump administration is reportedly considering placing Columbia University under a legally binding consent decree, a dramatic escalation following the university's acceptance of administration-demanded changes as a condition for restoring $400 million in suspended federal grants and contracts. The proposal originates from the administration's antisemitism taskforce, composed partly of Justice Department lawyers who question Columbia's good faith compliance. If Columbia resists, the Justice Department would need to present its case in court, risking prolonged litigation and continued funding withholding.
• Trump administration freezes nearly $1 billion in federal funding from Cornell University — During a cabinet meeting, President Trump pressed Education Secretary Linda McMahon on withholding federal funds from universities deemed "not behaving." McMahon confirmed the administration has frozen nearly $1 billion in funding from Cornell University and is investigating multiple institutions while holding back grant money pending compliance discussions with university presidents.
• Trump administration pauses $175 million in federal funding to University of Pennsylvania — The Trump administration paused $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its inclusion of transgender athletes in women's college sports. This action represents another instance of defunding universities over policies the administration opposes.
• Trump administration demands Harvard surrender academic freedoms; Harvard refuses; administration retaliates by freezing $2.2bn in grants — The Trump administration (Departments of Education, HHS, and GSA) issued an 11 April demand letter to Harvard University president Alan Garber requiring sweeping reforms including installation of "viewpoint-diverse" faculty, elimination of DEI programs, and adoption of specific antisemitism definitions as conditions for continued federal funding. Harvard's legal team, citing First Amendment violations and constitutional limits on executive authority, rejected the demands as governmental overreach into academic freedom. Within hours, the administration froze $2.2bn in grants and a $60m contract in retaliation.
• Trump administration withheld Harvard University federal funding pending government control of admissions and intellectual content — On April 11, the Trump administration announced it would withhold $2.2 billion in grants already awarded and a $60 million contract from Harvard University unless the university permitted the federal government to control its admissions and intellectual content. The administration framed the action as addressing antisemitism. On April 22, Harvard filed suit against the departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Energy, and Defense, the General Services Administration, the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, NASA, and their leaders, alleging violation of the First Amendment and abuse of legal authority.
• White House claims letter to Harvard withholding federal funds was "unauthorized" — On Friday, April 18, the administration claimed that a letter sent to Harvard University on April 11 withholding federal grants until the university granted administration officials power over the school's students and programs was "unauthorized." However, the White House simultaneously stated it was standing by the letter. The letter was signed by three federal officials, placed on official letterhead, and sent from the email of a senior federal official. Harvard responded by pointing out the letter's official provenance and noting that the government's actions had "real-life consequences."
• Harvard University rejected Trump administration demand for control over university governance — On April 11, 2025, Harvard University rejected the Trump administration's demand to regulate "intellectual and civil rights conditions" at Harvard, including its governance, admissions, programs, and extracurricular activities, in exchange for continuation of $2.2 billion in multiyear grants and a $60 million contract. Harvard's lawyers stated the university would not surrender its independence or relinquish constitutional rights and would not allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration ends NYC congestion pricing approval — The Trump administration announced plans to end federal approval for New York City's congestion pricing program. This decision impacts local transportation policy and raises questions about federal intervention in state and local governance.
• Trump administration orders end to NYC congestion pricing — The Trump administration, through the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has ordered New York City to terminate its congestion pricing program by March 21, 2025. This directive was communicated in a letter from FHWA executive director Gloria Shepherd to New York state and city officials, citing concerns about financial burdens on working-class Americans. The program, which charges drivers a fee to enter Manhattan's central business district, is being challenged by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and a New York bridge authority in court.