Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Senate blocks Republican congressional stock-trading restriction bill — The US Senate voted 53–47 on Wednesday to block the Stop Insider Trading Act, a Republican bill that would have barred members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying individual stocks. Democrats opposed the measure, arguing it did not go far enough because lawmakers could retain existing holdings and reinvest dividends, and objected to bundled voter ID requirements they characterized as a "poison pill." The vote fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to advance debate.

Supporting reports

• US District Judge Kathleen Williams voided DOJ's $1.776 billion settlement with Trump — US District Judge Kathleen Williams voided the Department of Justice's $1.776 billion settlement with Trump, finding the litigation constitutionally defective under Article III because Trump, as head of the Executive Branch, controlled both the plaintiff and defendant agencies (Treasury and IRS), making them never genuinely adverse. The judge found no actual case or controversy occurred, no meaningful litigation preceded the settlement, and government lawyers never filed a response or defended the agencies. Williams imposed Rule 11 sanctions and referred one of Trump's attorneys for possible professional discipline.
• Federal Judge Voids Trump's $1.8 Billion IRS Settlement — A federal judge voided Trump's $1.8 billion settlement with the IRS that included an "anti-weaponization fund" and immunity from tax audits, ruling that the president's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS was filed "to manipulate the judicial process." The judge sanctioned two of Trump's personal attorneys, banning one from practicing in the Southern District of Florida for at least one year, and suggested that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and associate Attorney General Stan Woodward could face state bar investigations.
• Federal judge nullifies Trump tax-return settlement and sanctions president's lawyers — US District Judge Kathleen Williams in the Southern District of Florida voided a settlement agreement between the Trump administration and the president over a $10 billion lawsuit regarding leaked tax returns. The judge found the lawsuit was filed in bad faith and the settlement was collusive, designed to confer immunity on Trump and his family and create an $1.8 billion slush fund. Williams sanctioned Trump's lawyers, referred two to bar disciplinary proceedings, and blocked one from practicing in the district for one year.
• Federal judge ruled Trump's IRS lawsuit settlement was improper and manufactured — U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams for the Southern District of Florida ruled that Trump, his lawyers, and Department of Justice lawyers had manufactured a fraudulent settlement of Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Williams found the lawsuit was brought "for an improper purpose—to gain the imprimatur of judicial legitimacy for a 'settlement' that had no viable basis in law or fact." The settlement was designed to establish a $1.776 billion slush fund for Trump loyalists and to grant Trump, his family, businesses, and associates immunity from prosecution for any tax crimes revealed by audits of tax returns filed before May 19, 2026.
• Federal judge rules against Trump's IRS lawsuit — On July 13, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that Trump and his legal team improperly manufactured a settlement in his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, which aimed to create a slush fund for Trump loyalists and grant immunity from prosecution for tax crimes. The judge found the lawsuit lacked a legitimate basis and recommended sanctions against some lawyers involved.
• Judge Williams recommended sanctions against lawyers involved in fraudulent settlement — Judge Kathleen Williams recommended legal sanctions against some of the lawyers involved in the fraudulent IRS settlement and expressed that she was "extremely troubled" by the testimony of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, which she characterized as "at best, misleading and, at worst, disingenuous."
• E. Jean Carroll Receives Payment from Trump — E. Jean Carroll has received a $5.6 million payment from Donald Trump, confirmed by a court filing. This payment is part of a legal settlement related to a defamation case brought by Carroll against Trump.

Supporting reports

• Stay pending appeal decided — Beatty v. Trump (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04480 — The D.C. Circuit denied the government's motion for a stay pending appeal, finding that they had failed to show irreparable harm from compliance with the district court's order requiring removal of President Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's facade, website title, and trademark applications.
• Federal appeals court ruled Trump name must remain on Kennedy Center — A federal appeals court ruled that Trump's name must remain on the Kennedy Center while his administration appeals the order that forced its removal. The three-judge panel found the administration offered no specific facts or evidence for its claim that losing the Trump name would harm the center's finances.
• Federal appeals court rejects Trump administration request to pause Kennedy Center name removal — A three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously rejected the Trump administration's emergency request to pause a lower court order requiring removal of Trump's name from the Kennedy Center's facade. The administration had argued the removal would harm fundraising and the institution's finances. The court found the administration provided no specific facts or evidence to support its claims and barred assertions that a newly created Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Foundation would need to return money if the name remained removed.

Supporting reports

• Trump-appointed Kennedy Center board voted to fight order removing Trump's name — A federal judge previously ruled that Congress named the Kennedy Center and only Congress can rename it, ordered Trump's name removed by June 13, and blocked a planned two-year closure of the building. This week, with the deadline looming, the Trump-appointed board voted to fight the order. The judge refused to pause the order, writing that the public is rarely served by letting the government keep breaking the law.
• Appeals court rejects emergency stay of Trump name removal from Kennedy Center — An appeals court in Washington DC rejected an emergency appeal filed by Justice Department lawyers and Trump's hand-picked Kennedy Center board seeking to pause a federal judge's order to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade. US District Judge Christopher Cooper had ruled in May that Trump's name was illegally added to the iconic performing arts venue and ordered its removal within two weeks. Workers began removal efforts on June 12, 2026, despite the emergency appeal filed hours before the deadline.
• Federal judge orders removal of Trump's name from Kennedy Center facade; workers comply after emergency appeal denied — US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that Trump's name was illegally added to the Kennedy Center's facade and ordered its removal by Friday, June 13, 2026. Trump's board had renamed the venue in December 2026 after seizing control in February. After Trump's legal team filed emergency appeals on Friday afternoon, both were denied. Workers removed the signage early Saturday morning behind tarps. The judge found that only Congress, which designated the venue as a Kennedy memorial in 1964, could authorize a name change.
• Federal judge permits UFC event at White House despite legal challenge — Attorneys from the Public Integrity Project filed a lawsuit to block a UFC fight scheduled for the White House lawn on Trump's 80th birthday (billed as a 250th anniversary celebration). On Friday, a federal judge ruled the event could proceed. The lawsuit challenged the appropriateness and use of taxpayer funds for the mixed martial arts event, which Dana White said was Trump's idea. Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the venue but expressed hope the event would be successful.
• Kennedy Center removes Trump signage following court order — Charles M. Floca, Trump-appointed head of the Kennedy Center, certified compliance with a court order requiring removal of all signage renaming the center after Trump. The center removed physical signs from the building and grounds, updated its website, removed Trump references from letterhead and promotional materials, and withdrew trademark applications. Workers installed scaffolding and tarps overnight to conceal the portico wall where Trump's name had been placed, with removal work occurring after 3:00 AM. The facade remained covered throughout the day while the center evaluated further legal options.
• Representative Beatty sued to block Kennedy Center renaming — Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH), who as an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board had been sidelined, filed suit to stop the renaming. She won the case, and Judge Cooper ordered Trump's name removed from the building, all signage, stationery, merchandise, and related materials before midnight on June 12, 2026.

Supporting reports

• Judge Brinkema issued preliminary injunction blocking $1.8 billion anti-weaponization payout fund — On June 13, Judge Leonie Brinkema issued a preliminary injunction indefinitely blocking the administration's $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, a pool of taxpayer money that emerged from Trump's settlement of his own lawsuit against the IRS and that could compensate his allies, including January 6 defendants, as victims of government "weaponization."

Supporting reports

• U.S. District Judge Richard Leon halted above-ground construction of White House ballroom — U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, issued an order halting above-ground construction of a proposed White House ballroom but permitting construction of the below-ground bunker to continue. The decision prompted President Trump to post four lengthy social media screeds attacking the judge as "Trump Hating" and claiming the ballroom is essential to national security, containing bomb shelters, military installations, and protective infrastructure. Trump characterized the judicial order as "illegal overreach" and "a mockery to our Court System."
• Federal judge limits Trump's White House ballroom project — Federal Judge Richard Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that construction on Trump's planned White House ballroom project can proceed only on an underground portion deemed necessary for national security, not on the 90,000-square-foot aboveground addition Trump wanted for entertaining VIP guests. Judge Leon wrote that "national security is not a blank check to proceed with otherwise unlawful activity." Trump had argued the entire project counted as a security project because of bulletproof glass and bomb shelters.
• Trump attacks federal judge blocking White House ballroom construction — Trump attacked a federal judge on Truth Social who blocked the administration's above-ground construction of a White House ballroom, calling the judge "Trump Hating" and "highly political" and baselessly accusing him of "illegal overreach." The judge had authorized below-ground construction, citing protection of national security facilities. Trump claimed the below-ground portion will include bomb shelters and medical facilities.
• President Trump attacked federal judge Richard Leon in social media posts over ballroom ruling — President Trump posted four lengthy social media screeds attacking U.S. District Judge Richard Leon for halting above-ground construction of a proposed White House ballroom. Trump characterized the judge as "Trump Hating," accused him of "illegal overreach," and claimed the judicial order is "a mockery to our Court System." Trump asserted that the ballroom is essential to national security and that no judge can be allowed to stop the project, framing judicial review as an attack on presidential authority and national defense.
• Stay pending appeal decided — National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States v. National Park Service (D.D.C.) 1:25-cv-04316 — The D.C. Circuit granted Defendants' emergency motion for a stay pending appeal of Judge Leon's April 16, 2026 order and set an expedited briefing schedule, noting: “The purpose of this administrative stay is to give the court sufficient opportunity to consider the emergency motion for a stay pending appeal and should not be construed in any way as a ruling on the merits of that motion.”

Supporting reports

• House Democrats demand DOJ briefing on removal of antitrust chief Gail Slater — House Democrats Jamie Raskin and Jerry Nadler requested a briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the forced resignation of Gail Slater, head of the antitrust division, in February 2026. Slater's removal followed her attempt to block a $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise–Juniper Networks merger and alleged interference by Trump-connected lobbyists. The letter raised concerns about potential corruption, the role of Trump allies including Mike Davis, and questioned DOJ handling of multiple high-profile merger cases and antitrust matters.
• Gail Slater forced to resign as antitrust chief amid Trump administration pressure — Gail Slater, assistant attorney general for the antitrust division, was forced to resign in February 2026 after her relationship with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Vice President JD Vance deteriorated. Her removal followed her effort to block the $14 billion Hewlett Packard Enterprise–Juniper Networks merger and her claims that the intelligence community had not raised national security concerns. Trump-connected lobbyist Mike Davis, retained by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, publicly took credit for her removal. The DOJ subsequently dropped the antitrust suit in favor of a settlement.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge reverses Trump's freeze on Gateway Project rail funding — US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in New York issued a temporary ruling on Friday reversing a Trump administration freeze on $16 billion in federal funds for the Gateway Project, a critical rail infrastructure initiative connecting New York and New Jersey. The freeze, imposed on 30 September pending a compliance review, had halted work on a new Hudson River tunnel and repairs to a century-old tunnel serving 200,000+ daily travelers. Vargas found the states likely to succeed in claims that the freeze was arbitrary and violated legal procedures. Reports indicate Trump demanded renaming Washington Dulles airport and Penn Station after himself in exchange for unfreezing funds.
• Trump administration appealed court order requiring release of Hudson Tunnel funding — The Trump administration appealed a court order requiring it to release federal funding for the Hudson Tunnel project. Prior reporting indicated Trump had offered to unfreeze funds if Democrats agreed to rename major transit hubs after him. The dispute centers on whether infrastructure funds are administered through law and oversight or through personal glorification demands, raising questions about the distinction between state administration and personal brand leverage.
• Motion granted — New Jersey v. Department of Transportation (S.D.N.Y.) 1:26-cv-00939 — Judge Vargas denied Defendants' motion for a stay of the court's TRO pending appeal but granted sua sponte a short administrative stay to allow Defendants to seek a stay from the Second Circuit.
• Trump administration appealed court order on Hudson Tunnel funding conditions — The Trump administration appealed a court order requiring the release of Hudson Tunnel funding after reports surfaced that the funds were offered conditionally contingent on renaming transit hubs after Trump. The appeal contests judicial oversight of the administration's use of federal infrastructure funds.

Supporting reports

• President approves Ambler Road Project appeal under ANILCA — The President approved an appeal by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) filed June 6, 2025, under section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), authorizing the Ambler Road Project transportation system. The decision, dated October 6, 2025, directs all relevant federal agencies to promptly issue necessary authorizations for the project's establishment. The President's statement of reasons spans 26 pages and addresses the manner in which federal agencies must issue required permits and approvals.
• Trump approves Ambler Road mining project in Alaska, benefiting major donor Paulson — President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum on October 6, 2025, approving construction of a 211-mile road through Alaskan wilderness to enable mining of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals in the Ambler Mining District. The project had been rejected during the Biden administration following environmental review concluding it would threaten caribou, wildlife, and Alaska Native subsistence hunting and fishing. Trump's order directs the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and Army Corps of Engineers to reissue necessary permits. The decision directly benefits billionaire John Paulson, a major Trump fundraiser and shareholder in Trilogy Metals (one of two companies operating the mine), whose stake value increased from approximately $30 million to over $100 million following the announcement.
• President approves Ambler Road Project appeal and directs federal agency authorizations — President Trump issued a presidential memorandum on October 6, 2025, approving an appeal by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) under section 1106(a) of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The memorandum approves AIDEA's 2016 revised consolidated application for the Ambler Road Project, a transportation system in Alaska. Trump directed all relevant federal agencies to promptly issue necessary authorizations for the project's establishment.
• President Trump approves Ambler Road Project and directs federal agencies to issue permits — The White House issued a fact sheet stating that President Trump approved the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority's appeal and directed the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reissue permits for the 211-mile Ambler Road Project connecting the Dalton Highway to Alaska's Ambler Mining District. The fact sheet claims the project will enable access to copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals, support 2,730 jobs, and generate over $1.1 billion in state revenues. The U.S. government announced a $35.6 million investment in Trilogy Metals, acquiring a 10% stake and warrants for an additional 7.5%.
• President Trump approves Ambler Road Project appeal, reversing Biden-era rejection — President Trump approved an appeal for Alaska's Ambler Road Project, a 211-mile industrial road connecting the Dalton Highway to critical mineral deposits in northwest Alaska. The decision reverses a Biden administration rejection and was issued under Section 1106 of the Alaska National Interest Land Claims Act (ANILCA). The White House states the move advances American energy dominance, reduces reliance on foreign mineral sources, and supports job creation and domestic supply chains. Alaska state and federal officials, mining companies, and industry groups issued statements of support.
• U.S. government purchases 10% stake in Trilogy Metals following Ambler Road approval — Concurrent with approving the Ambler Road project, the Trump administration announced that the United States will purchase a 10% stake in Trilogy Metals, one of two companies operating the mine. This equity purchase directly increases the value of existing shares held by other investors, including John Paulson, whose 8.7% stake in the company increased in value from under $30 million to over $100 million immediately following the announcement. Trilogy Metals has no other business ventures; its entire value is tied to the Ambler Mining District project, which is projected to produce minerals worth up to $7 billion.

Supporting reports

• Treasury Secretary Bessent announced U.S. support for Argentina's economy — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on social media on September 22, 2025, fifteen minutes before Argentina's foreign-exchange markets opened, that the U.S. will consider "all options" for stabilizing Argentina's economy. Bessent stated that "Argentina is a systemically important U.S. ally." Argentina's right-wing president Javier Milei, a Trump ally, faces declining voter support ahead of elections next month due to austerity measures, inflation, and currency weakness.
• Argentina stock market surged following US Treasury announcement — Following the Trump administration's announcement of support for Argentina, Argentina's stock market surged 8% after having collapsed 10% in the previous 24 hours. The Kobeissi Letter reported that the timing of the US Treasury's "lifeline" announcement coincided with the market recovery, occurring one month before Argentina's midterm elections.
• Treasury Secretary announced support for Argentina bailout — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that the US Treasury stands ready to support Argentina with stabilization measures, stating that "all options are on the table" including swap lines, direct currency purchases, and purchases of US dollar-denominated government debt from the Exchange Stabilization Fund. Bessent praised President Javier Milei's fiscal discipline and pro-growth reforms.
• Treasury Department considered using Exchange Stabilization Fund to bail out Argentina. — The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was considering using the Treasury's Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide financial assistance to Argentina. The fund, created in the 1930s, can be used to supply loans to foreign countries facing dire financial difficulties, with the Treasury secretary having full control over its use. Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations called such unilateral action "incredibly unusual," noting the U.S. typically coordinates such assistance with other countries and the IMF.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent offered financial support to Argentina without conditions. — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered financial support to Argentina without conditions such as requiring the country to address its over-valued peso problem. Mark Sobel, a former U.S. Treasury and IMF official, criticized this approach as potentially "a way of just financing capital flight for little purpose," noting that investors have 100+ years of experience with Argentine over-borrowing, hyperinflation, and defaults.
• CPAC promoted Bessent's Argentina rescue package on social media — After Treasury Secretary Bessent announced the $20 billion rescue package for Argentina on September 24, CPAC promoted the deal on its social media accounts. This occurred despite CPAC's promotion of an "America First" agenda and despite the fact that CPAC's affiliated lobbying firm, Tactic Global, was simultaneously representing Argentina as a foreign agent and had organized CPAC Argentina featuring President Milei.
• Treasury announces $20 billion currency swap with Argentina; potential expansion to $40 billion — On September 24, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina, exchanging U.S. taxpayer dollars for Argentine pesos to support President Javier Milei's peso stabilization efforts. The bailout may expand to $40 billion as Bessent organizes an additional $20 billion facility financed by banks and private equity, with those banks demanding U.S. government guarantees to backstop potential losses. President Trump acknowledged the bailout provides little benefit to Americans but benefits hedge fund billionaire Robert Citrone, a personal friend and former colleague of Bessent with heavy Argentine asset investments.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent announced $20 billion bailout package for Argentina, reportedly at hedge fund billionaire's request — On September 24, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a $20 billion U.S. Treasury package to rescue Argentina's economy. Argentine media outlets report that hedge fund billionaire Rob Citrone, a personal friend and former colleague of Bessent, requested the bailout after his fund Discovery Capital suffered losses from Argentine investments. Citrone had previously urged Bessent to help secure a separate $20 billion IMF package in spring 2025. Argentine media also reports Citrone purchased additional Argentine bonds two weeks before the bailout announcement, raising suspicions he had access to confidential information.
• Treasury Secretary Bessent announces $20 billion rescue package for Argentina — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a $20 billion taxpayer-funded economic rescue package for Argentina, involving currency stabilization through dollar-peso exchanges. The package was designed to shore up Argentina's foreign currency reserves and stabilize the peso amid economic crisis under President Javier Milei. Bessent's announcement followed months of advocacy by hedge fund manager Rob Citrone, a personal and professional associate of Bessent, who holds substantial Argentine investments and stands to benefit significantly from the currency stabilization.
• U.S. prepares financial aid for Argentina — The U.S. government is preparing a $20 billion financial aid package for Argentina's right-wing leader Javier Milei, despite recent actions that undermine U.S. agricultural interests. This aid is being directed without following the usual congressional appropriations process.
• U.S. preparing $20 billion rescue package for Argentina — The Trump administration is preparing a $20 billion rescue package to bail out Argentina's right-wing leader Javier Milei, a Trump ally, before October elections. This financial support is being offered despite Argentina recently suspending its grain export tax, which undercut U.S. soybean farmers who lost their Chinese market due to Trump's tariff war. Within hours of Argentina's action, China purchased Argentine soybeans.

Supporting reports

• New York Times reported on law firm deals with Trump — The New York Times reported that two law firms that made deals with Trump to prevent enforcement of executive orders targeting them were connected with the Commerce Department by Trump's personal lawyer Boris Epshteyn about assisting on trade deals as part of their pro bono work for the president's administration.
• Law firms reach agreements with Trump to quash executive orders — The New York Times reported that at least two prominent law firms that reached agreements with Trump to quash executive orders that targeted them have committed to doing pro bono legal work for the Commerce Department, including on trade deals.

Supporting reports

• Nvidia and AMD reached chip export agreement with Trump administration — The Wall Street Journal reported that Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices agreed with the Trump administration to give the US government 15% of revenues from chip sales in China in exchange for export licenses. Legal experts note the arrangement may violate the Constitution's export clause prohibiting taxes or duties on articles exported from any state.