Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Hillary Clinton suggested Putin has leverage over Trump — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested that Vladimir Putin possesses compromising information on Trump. The statement was made in the context of Trump's reported request to restrict Ukrainian communications networks during active Russian military operations.
• Hillary Clinton alleged Trump's Russia alignment stems from financial interests and potential blackmail — Hillary Clinton publicly stated three reasons for Trump's alignment with Russia: first, his admiration for authoritarian leaders who can kill opponents and his desire to become a dictator; second, financial motivation through oil, gas, and critical minerals deals with Russia and carving up Ukrainian assets involving Trump and his family; and third, her belief that Putin possesses compromising material on Trump (photos, videos) similar to Epstein files, which Trump has fought to keep sealed. Clinton suggested that public release of Epstein files would shock even Trump supporters about his conduct.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration runs taxpayer-funded ads on CNN and MSNBC despite network bans — The Trump administration bought advertising space on CNN and MSNBC to run what it calls "public service announcements" promoting Trump, even as the president barred both networks from White House grounds (bans that have been paused by a federal judge). The administration has spent at least $2.87 million running three ads, with the bulk of spending on CBS, FOX, NBC, and ABC. However, the inclusion of MSNBC (38 ads) and CNN (10 ads) is notable given Trump's ongoing battle to exclude these networks from the White House. Democrats and former ethics officials have claimed the ads could violate government ethics laws because of their political nature.

Supporting reports

• South Korea contradicts White House Alaska LNG announcement — The Trump administration announced a $350 billion investment package with South Korea that included the Alaska LNG project. However, South Korea's government stated it would only begin reviewing the project and that "no decision has been made" on whether to invest or the size of any investment. South Korea's industry minister expressed regret to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, saying the White House announcement exceeded what had been agreed.
• Trump falsely claims South Korea agreed to $50 billion Alaska LNG investment — Trump announced that the South Korean government had agreed to invest $50 billion in a liquefied natural gas pipeline in Alaska, with Senator Dan Sullivan present. In reality, the Commerce Department and South Korea's Industry Ministry had only agreed to "commence working" on such a project. South Korea's industry minister Kim Jung-kwan stated that "putting out figures, or using definitive language, goes far beyond what was agreed," and South Korea's president Lee Jae Myung emphasized the plan would proceed only if financially viable and meeting legal requirements in South Korea.

Supporting reports

• Trump administration aired taxpayer-funded campaign ad — New York Times reporter Bayliss Wagner reported that the Trump administration is airing another taxpayer-funded political advertisement, this time from his 2024 campaign. In the ad, Trump states: "We will demolish the deep state, expel the warmongers from our government... We will rout the fake news media." The bulletin notes this represents use of public funds for campaign promotion during the midterms.
• Trump administration airs government-funded political advertisement — The Trump administration aired a black-and-white political advertisement on television stations nationwide, including Fox News Sunday, Saturday Night Live, and college and NFL football games, funded with taxpayer dollars. The ad features Trump walking down a hallway while audio from a rally speech plays, with Trump declaring "This is the final battle" and vowing to "demolish the deep state" and "expel the warmongers." The White House defended the ads as "public service announcements," but ethics experts and lawmakers have argued the use of federal funds for political advertising violates federal law banning taxpayer-funded propaganda. The ad cost approximately $319,000. This is the second such government-funded pro-Trump political ad in recent days; the first used a song by artist JMSN without his permission.
• Trump administration aired political advertisement funded by U.S. government during NFL and college football broadcasts — The Trump administration aired an advertisement during NFL games, Fox News Sunday, Saturday Night Live, and college football games that was labeled "Paid for by the U.S. Government." The ad featured Trump's "Final Battle" rhetoric attacking the deep state, warmongers, globalists, communists, and the media. The White House characterized it as a "public service announcement," but ethics experts and lawmakers questioned the legality of using federal funds for what appeared to be campaign propaganda.

Supporting reports

• Trump housing chief investigated Attorney General Todd Blanche's mortgage to pressure him into investigating Trump opponents — In 2025, Trump administration housing chief Bill Pulte looked into the mortgages of prominent Trump opponents including New York Attorney General Letitia James. According to officials who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, Pulte also investigated Attorney General Todd Blanche's mortgage while Blanche was deputy AG, in order to pressure him into more aggressively investigating Trump's opponents.

Supporting reports

• David Ellison reportedly pledged to reshape CNN editorial direction to secure Trump administration support for merger — According to reporting in the article, David Ellison told Trump administration officials that "he'd make sweeping changes to CNN" as part of his campaign to win Trump's support for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. This statement, made prior to the settlement, indicates that editorial changes at CNN were explicitly tied to securing political backing for the transaction. The article also notes that since Ellison took over CBS News in August 2025, the network's news coverage has shifted to the right.
• Paramount-Warner Bros. merger consent decree establishes Editorial Independence Board with no independent authority — The settlement between state attorneys general and Paramount includes creation of an "Editorial Independence Board" tasked with monitoring editorial independence at CBS News and CNN. However, all five board members are selected by the combined entity's board of directors, which is fully controlled by David Ellison and his father Larry Ellison (77.5% voting shares). The board has no enforcement power and can only "resolve disputes" regarding alleged violations of editorial principles, with no mechanism specified for how such resolution occurs. The structure ensures that an Ellison-controlled board selects monitors of Ellison's editorial conduct.

Supporting reports

• ProPublica investigation reveals bribery scheme involving Sen. Susan Collins and defense contractor Navatek — ProPublica published an investigation detailing allegations that Sen. Susan Collins steered millions in federal defense contracts to Navatek in exchange for illegal campaign contributions funneled through shell companies. Navatek CEO Martin Kao was indicted in 2022 for making illegal campaign contributions after the FBI discovered the scheme. Kao told the FBI the arrangement involved a pay-to-play operation spanning dozens of politicians. The FBI had assembled evidence for a sweeping bribery probe by end of 2024, but the investigation was halted after Trump returned to the White House and dismantled specialized FBI and DOJ public corruption units.
• FBI investigation into Senator Susan Collins shut down — ProPublica reported that the FBI had evidence Senator Susan Collins participated in a pay-to-play scheme, and that the investigation was shut down after Trump took office. The closure of the investigation into a sitting senator suggests potential interference with law enforcement independence and selective application of accountability.
• FBI anti-corruption investigators fired after investigating Senator Collins for pay-to-play scheme — ProPublica reported that the FBI's anti-corruption group was investigating Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for a pay-to-play scheme in which defense contractor Navatek made illegal donations to her 2020 campaign and later received multimillion-dollar government contracts. When Trump returned to the White House in 2025, he fired the investigators building the case and largely stopped investigating public corruption. Collins's office admitted the campaign disgorged illegal contributions but denied knowledge of the arrangement, though emails suggest otherwise.
• FBI investigation into Senator Susan Collins' steering of defense contracts was halted after Trump purged public corruption unit — In 2020, the FBI launched an investigation into the relationship between a former defense contractor CEO and Senator Susan Collins' staff, with ProPublica reporting that "the senator's office steered government contracts worth millions toward the company while her campaign was pumping [the CEO] and his network for donations." After Trump began his second term in 2025, he purged the FBI unit working on public corruption investigations, effectively halting the probe.

Supporting reports

• Trump promises "$5,000 Trump dividend" if Republicans win Congress — Trump promised that if Republicans win control of the House and Senate, he will issue a "Trump dividend" of $5,000 to every adult in America. He claimed "We can do it and the Democrats can't because they don't do the tariffs," attributing the funding mechanism to tariff revenue.

Supporting reports

• Commerce Secretary Lutnick posts security video of Kennedy Center debris to justify Trump renovation — U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick posted a security video on Monday appearing to show debris falling in the Kennedy Center's grand foyer, claiming "the entire building is in this kind of shape" and asserting that only Trump "can deliver the renovation on time and on budget." Trump then shared the post on Truth Social. Lutnick's wife, Allison, is a member of Trump's appointed board at the Kennedy Center.

Supporting reports

• Government investigations into Musk's businesses ended after he entered government — According to a February 2025 Washington Post investigation, Elon Musk has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars in history, receiving at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies, and tax credits over more than 20 years. Once Musk entered power in Trump 2.0, government investigations into those businesses ended, eliminating oversight of his financial relationship with the state.

Supporting reports

• Corey Lewandowski allegedly sold government services for personal gain at DHS — On September 8, 2026, the Wall Street Journal published an investigation reporting that Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former 2016 campaign manager, appeared to offer aid to foreign countries navigating U.S. bureaucracy in the Department of Homeland Security for a fee, selling government services for his own gain. Lewandowski may have also been involved in awarding government contracts improperly. Congress had given DHS an additional $75 billion during Trump's term for deportations, detention facilities, and technology, creating opportunities for corruption.
• Lewandowski may have improperly awarded government contracts — The Wall Street Journal and ProPublica investigations report that Corey Lewandowski may have been involved in awarding government contracts improperly while serving in the Department of Homeland Security. A ProPublica article from November 14, 2025, covered similar accusations of improper contract awards.
• Lewandowski expects presidential pardon for potential criminal case — According to the Wall Street Journal investigation, Corey Lewandowski has told people close to him that he expects President Trump would pardon him in the event of a criminal case. This statement reflects an expectation of immunity from prosecution based on personal loyalty to the president.

Supporting reports

• Pentagon secretly hired military veterans as paid right-wing influencers to promote Pete Hegseth — The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has secretly hired military veterans with large social media followings to act as paid right-wing influencers to push Pete Hegseth's propaganda. Although these individuals are now government employees, the Pentagon refuses to provide details on their assignments. Their taxpayer-funded job is to "amplify Pete Hegseth's" messaging.
• Pentagon hires right-wing social media influencers as government employees — The Pentagon has hired right-wing social media influencers as special government employees using taxpayer money to amplify Defense Secretary Hegseth's viewpoints and attack critics of the Trump administration. Reported hires include Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Thomas Anderson. A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on their job content, salaries, or employment duration.
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers as Pentagon employees — Washington Post Pentagon reporter Dan Lamothe reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hired right-wing social media influencers to work at the Department of Defense as Special Government Employees (SGEs) to promote him on social media platform X. Retired Colonels Rob Maness, Kurt Schlichter, and Tom Anderson acknowledged being SGE employees for the Pentagon after the article's publication. The Pentagon had previously declined to comment on the issue and withheld information about the SGEs' status for days, including after speculation on social media.

Supporting reports

• Trump disclosed 1,051 financial transactions in June — CNBC reported that Trump disclosed 1,051 financial transactions for the month of June in what appears to be a broad reshuffling of his portfolio. The president rotated in and out of stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds throughout the month. The transactions totaled between $78-263 million, with securities purchases topping $49 million and sales totaling at least $28.5 million. The filing provides only a window into Trump's investment moves and does not give a clear picture of his total portfolio holdings, as amounts bought or sold are not specific and there is no indication of how much Trump owns of any particular security.

Supporting reports

• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced elimination of shell company ownership disclosure requirements — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the Treasury Department will no longer require shell companies to disclose the name, address, and identification of people who own an interest of more than 25% or who exercise "significant control" over the company, reversing requirements established in the 2021 Corporate Transparency Act. Bessent justified the elimination by characterizing the disclosure requirements as an undue burden on businesses, despite Congress designing the law to combat money laundering.

Supporting reports

• Trump refuses to disclose countries involved in beef trade deal — When asked by reporters which countries were involved in a beef trade deal, Trump refused to provide the information, stating "I don't want to say." The refusal to disclose the terms or parties to a trade agreement prevents public and congressional scrutiny of the deal's terms and beneficiaries.

Supporting reports

• Complaint filed: Intercept Media, Inc. v. Trump (S.D.N.Y. 1:26-cv-06867) — Intercept Media, Inc. and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging President Trump's use of Truth Social to announce official government business and Trump Media & Technology Group's "Truth API," a subscription service charging up to $100,000 per month for early access to presidential posts. Plaintiffs allege they cannot subscribe for financial and editorial-independence reasons and thus face delayed access to official announcements relative to paying subscribers. The complaint asserts violations of the First Amendment right to receive public officials' statements on equal terms, First Amendment limits on government restriction of access to designated public forums, First and Fifth Amendment unconstitutional-conditions doctrine, and Fifth Amendment equal protection. Plaintiffs seek declaratory judgment and an injunction barring defendants from posting official government information exclusively on Truth Social through the paid early-access API.
• Trump sued over Truth API subscription service selling early access to market-sensitive posts — The Intercept and Freedom of the Press Foundation filed suit in US District Court for the Southern District of New York against Trump, two aides, and the Executive Office of the President, challenging "Truth API," a paid data feed launched August 1 by Trump Media & Technology Group. The service charges $100,000/month (or $60,000/month for three-year commitments) for early access to posts from Trump and nine other senior officials' accounts on Truth Social. The complaint alleges the arrangement is corrupt and unconstitutional, allowing Trump—who remains Truth Media's largest shareholder—to personally profit from selling privileged access to information generated in his official capacity. The suit seeks to declare the service unlawful and bar the administration from using Truth Social as an exclusive venue for official announcements while selling preferential access.

Supporting reports

• Trump's $14 million Reflecting Pool renovation covered in algae; conservative media blamed sabotage — The Trump administration's $14 million no-bid contract to renovate the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool resulted in the pool becoming covered in green algae. The renovation painted the pool bottom blue but failed to address filtration and circulation problems, accelerating the algae problem. Conservative media personality Grant Stinchfield declared the algae a result of sabotage by the left, calling it vandalism by people who "can't stand Trump, American greatness and his quest to make DC beautiful again." The post received 3.2 million views. The actual cause was stagnant water with poor filtration, a basic scientific problem.

Supporting reports

• Representative Maxwell Frost documented closure of "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility — Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL) posted that he had visited "Alligator Alcatraz," a detention facility in Florida that appears to be in the process of shutting down. Frost noted that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Trump have not publicly acknowledged the closure despite spending approximately $1 billion in taxpayer funds on the site in less than one year. Frost stated that the administration does not want public discussion of the closure because it would require accountability for the expenditure and examination of "human rights abuses and civil rights abuses that happened there and in other facilities."

Supporting reports

• Trump delays military assault on Iran at request of Saudi, Emirati, and Qatari leaders — Trump stated that the U.S. military was ready to launch a "full, large scale assault" on Iran on short notice but delayed the attack at the request of leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The article notes that Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law involved in Iran negotiations, receives tens of millions of dollars annually from a Saudi investment fund controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This raises questions about potential conflicts of interest influencing Trump's conduct of the war.

Supporting reports

• State Department issues limited-edition 'America250' passports featuring Trump's portrait — The U.S. State Department announced it will issue limited-edition passports commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary of independence. The passports will display a large photograph of President Donald Trump on the inside cover, surrounded by Declaration of Independence text, the U.S. flag, and his gold-rendered signature. The initiative is part of the broader "America250" celebration program. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the passports retain existing security features while adding "customized artwork and enhanced imagery."
• State Department finalized plan to place Trump image on U.S. passports — According to reporting by Benjamin Parker of The Bulwark on April 28, 2026, the State Department is finalizing plans to place an image of President Trump's face on U.S. passports issued from the Washington, D.C. Passport Agency. This follows the administration's earlier decisions to mint a $1 coin with Trump's face, issue a gold commemorative coin with his image, and place Trump's face on national park passes.
• State Department announced commemorative Trump passports for 250th anniversary — The State Department confirmed it is preparing a limited release of commemorative U.S. passports featuring Donald Trump's portrait on the inside cover with his signature in gold, as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. Between 25,000 and 30,000 passports will be available through the Washington, D.C., passport office beginning around July 4. Trump would be the first living president featured on a U.S. passport. The article notes that public documents belong to the public and are not meant to become personal branding.

Supporting reports

• Major news outlets omit Kushner conflict of interest from 97% of Iran diplomacy coverage — Analysis by Popular Information found that of 202 articles published by major news outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, CNN Wire, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times) covering Kushner's diplomatic role in Iran negotiations from February 28 to April 19, 2026, only six mentioned his financial conflict of interest with Saudi Arabia. This represents 97% of coverage omitting the conflict. Five of the six articles mentioning the conflict appeared in the New York Times; one appeared in Foreign Policy and was republished by the Washington Post. The Wall Street Journal, AP, CNN Wire, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, and Los Angeles Times collectively published dozens of articles on Kushner's diplomatic role without mentioning the conflict.
• Media coverage analysis reveals 97% of outlets omitted Kushner's Saudi financial conflicts during Iran negotiations — A Popular Information analysis of media coverage from February 28 to April 19, 2026, found that 97% of coverage from major media outlets failed to mention Jared Kushner's multi-billion-dollar business relationship with the Saudi government while he represented the U.S. in Iran negotiations. Kushner's simultaneous diplomatic role and substantial financial interests in a key regional actor constitute a significant undisclosed conflict of interest that received minimal journalistic scrutiny.
• Jared Kushner's financial ties to Persian Gulf governments not widely reported — Major news outlets have not prominently reported that Jared Kushner, the administration's de facto Iran negotiator, has received billions of dollars from Persian Gulf governments. The lack of coverage represents a gap in media scrutiny of potential conflicts of interest in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations.

Supporting reports

• NBC reports Trump investment accounts made 327 undisclosed stock purchases on April 8, 2025 — NBC reported that investment accounts owned by Trump executed more than 327 stock purchases on April 8, 2025—one day before Trump announced a pause on "Liberation Day" tariffs. Despite a 45-day legal deadline for disclosure, none of the trades were reported until more than 14 months later, appearing in a 900-page spreadsheet document. The timing suggests potential market manipulation coordinated with tariff announcements designed to benefit Trump's personal financial interests.

Supporting reports

• Reuters reports suspicious trading patterns anticipating Trump policy shifts — Reuters reported that unknown traders netted millions of dollars through well-timed trades anticipating Trump's major policy shifts, suggesting possible advance notice of announcements. Examples include options traders profiting millions minutes before Trump announced a pause on "Liberation Day tariffs" in April 2025, and six people generating $1.2 million in Polymarket bets hours before a US-Israel attack on Iran. Legal experts believe the pattern warrants investigation for potential insider trading and breach of confidentiality.

Supporting reports

• Federal Arts Commission approves commemorative gold coins bearing Trump's image despite legal prohibition — The federal arts commission, composed entirely of Trump-appointed members, approved the design of commemorative 24-carat gold coins bearing Trump's image. This action circumvents federal law that prohibits living U.S. presidents from appearing on currency. The approval was granted earlier in March 2026 as part of Trump's broader effort to place his name and likeness on American cultural and governmental institutions.
• Treasury Department removes treasurer's signature from US currency and adds Trump's signature — The U.S. Treasury Department announced it will remove the treasurer's signature from paper currency for the first time since 1861 and replace it with President Trump's signature. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the change commemorates the nation's 250th anniversary and reflects Trump's "historic achievements." The first $100 bills bearing Trump's and Bessent's signatures will be printed in June 2026, with other denominations to follow. This marks the first time a sitting president's signature will appear on legal tender.

Supporting reports

• Representatives Khanna and Massie requested unredacted Epstein files — Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY), lead sponsors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, formally requested access to unredacted Epstein files from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Khanna stated: "The [Department of Justice] said it identified over 6 million potentially responsive pages but is releasing only about 3.5 million after review and redactions. This raises questions as to why the rest are being withheld."
• Common Cause files for temporary restraining order in Nebraska voter data case — Common Cause filed a motion for a temporary restraining order in Nebraska state court to prevent the state from releasing voter registration data to the federal government. The filing follows a hearing held the same week. Nebraska law prohibits sharing voter birthdates, driver's license information, and Social Security numbers with third parties, including the federal government. The Nebraska Secretary of State had initially indicated compliance with the federal demand after the Attorney General announced non-compliance, prompting the civil-rights organization to seek emergency court relief.
• DOJ releases investigative files on Epstein cooperation discussions before death — The US Department of Justice released investigative documents on 30 January revealing that Jeffrey Epstein's lawyers met with Manhattan federal prosecutors on 29 July 2019 to discuss potential cooperation and case resolution. The meeting occurred less than two weeks before Epstein was found dead in jail on 10 August 2019. Defense counsel did not present a specific proposal, and prosecutors suggested they contact the office if Epstein was prepared to accept responsibility or had a concrete resolution proposal.
• Justice Department releases Epstein investigative files under congressional mandate — The Justice Department released additional tranches of investigative documents into Jeffrey Epstein's crimes pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November 2025. A major 3.5 million-page release occurred on January 30, 2026. However, transparency advocates contend that potentially millions of additional pages remain undisclosed, suggesting incomplete compliance with the 30-day disclosure mandate.
• Trump DOJ releases Epstein files late and incompletely, claims review complete — The Trump Department of Justice released approximately 3 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein investigative files on January 30, 2026, nearly six weeks after the December 19 deadline mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the disclosure as final, stating the department's obligations under the act were complete. However, advocates, attorneys representing victims, and congressional Democrats argue that millions of potentially responsive documents remain withheld, with redactions obscuring perpetrator identities while exposing survivor names, and question whether the DOJ's determination of "non-responsive" documents masks deliberate concealment.
• Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's Epstein connections revealed in files — Journalists reviewing the newly released Epstein files discovered that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who stated last year that he and his wife had cut ties with Epstein around 2005 due to repulsion, in fact visited Epstein in 2012—four years after Epstein's first conviction for procuring a child for prostitution—and continued corresponding with him until at least 2018.
• Department of Justice released partial Epstein files with redactions — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice is releasing additional Epstein files but continuing to withhold nearly 3 million pages citing child sexual abuse material and victim protection, and another 200,000 pages due to legal privileges. Congress had passed a law requiring full disclosure by December 19, but the DOJ had released less than 1% of files until this announcement. Blanche stated the release "marks the end of a very comprehensive document review process to ensure transparency to the American people."
• Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announces DOJ will not release Epstein files showing death or abuse — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters that the Department of Justice would not release any items from the Epstein files that showed "death, physical abuse, or injury," effectively restricting public access to evidence of crimes in a high-profile case involving allegations of child sexual assault and human trafficking.
• Epstein files released contained names and identifying information of survivors — The newly released Epstein files contained the names and identifying information of multiple survivors, including some not previously associated with the Epstein operation. Twenty Epstein survivors released a statement stating: "This latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files is being sold as transparency, but what it actually does is expose survivors. As survivors, we should never be the ones named, scrutinized, and retraumatized while Epstein's enablers continue to benefit from secrecy. This is a betrayal of the very people this process is supposed to serve."
• First Lady Melania Trump's email to Ghislaine Maxwell revealed in Epstein files — The released Epstein files contain a friendly email from Melania Knauss (before she married Trump) to Ghislaine Maxwell in 2002, when Maxwell was Epstein's girlfriend. Knauss complimented Maxwell on a magazine profile and wrote: "I know you are very busy flying all over the world. How was Palm Beach? I cannot wait to go down. Give me a call when you are back in NY. Have a great time!" She signed it "Love, Melania."
• Trump appears frequently in released Epstein files — The newly released Epstein files contain frequent references to Trump. A spreadsheet listing accusations against Trump and other prominent people appeared in the files but disappeared shortly after it appeared.
• Department of Justice publishes 3.5 million pages under Epstein Files Transparency Act — The Department of Justice announced the publication of over 3 million additional pages in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Trump on November 19, 2025. The release includes 2,000 videos and 180,000 images collected from five primary sources including cases against Epstein and Maxwell, FBI investigations, and an Office of Inspector General investigation. The Department stated it erred on the side of over-collecting materials and withheld only documents falling within specified categories including privilege and violence depictions. Over 500 attorneys and reviewers contributed to the effort.
• Complaint filed — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington v. Department of Justice — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a complaint in D.D.C. on January 30, 2026, challenging the Department of Justice's denial of expedited FOIA processing and failure to produce records relating to the investigation, indictment, and presidential pardon of Representative Enrique Cuellar. CREW seeks court order compelling DOJ to process the FOIA requests on an expedited basis and conduct a reasonable search for responsive records. The underlying pardon was announced by President Trump on December 3, 2025, while criminal proceedings against Rep. Cuellar were ongoing.
• Deputy AG Blanche held press conference on Epstein files release — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference regarding the Epstein document release. When asked if all documents relevant to President Trump would be released like other prominent persons, Blanche stated "I can assure that we complied with the statute and we did not protect President Trump," but acknowledged "there's a hunger or thirst for information that will not be satisfied by a review of these documents." He declined to commit to releasing body camera video from federal officers involved in the Pretti shooting or their names, and said he did not know the location of firearms or the phone used to film the incident.
• DOJ released Epstein files with Trump allegations, then deleted section — The Department of Justice released a massive collection of Epstein documents totaling over 6 million pages. A section containing specific criminal allegations against Trump was posted online, then removed hours later after screenshots circulated, before being restored. The DOJ disclosed it is releasing only half the documents, determining the other half "irrelevant" or exempt under statute. Documents included an email from Epstein stating "trump is likely to be [asked] questions soon about me…supposedly a girl said that donal= had sex with her at my house when she was underage," and a report that a survivor told FBI agents Ghislaine Maxwell "presented" her to Trump and made clear she was "available."
• DOJ withholds FBI interviews documenting sexual abuse allegations against Trump — The Department of Justice withheld more than 50 pages of FBI interviews and notes involving a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse when she was a minor, according to reporting by NPR and The New York Times. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had claimed on January 30 that the DOJ completed its final release of Epstein files. The withheld documents include summaries of three FBI interviews with the woman about her interactions with Trump, though a fourth interview about Epstein allegations was released. A 2025 DOJ slide presentation disclosed that the woman alleged Trump attempted to force her to perform oral sex and punched her in the head when she was between 13 and 15 years old.